A FEMALE drug addict was found hanged shortly after leaving a message on her mother's answerphone describing what she was about to do, an inquest heard.

The body of Mandy Cluff, 47, was discovered by her partner, Glen Wood, in their garden in High Road, Ilford on New Year's Day this year.

The Deputy Coroner Dr William Dolman told the inquest that at 11.20pm on New Year's Eve Mrs Cluff left a "horrifying" answerphone message on her mother's phone "saying exactly what she was going to do to end her own life."

Mrs Cluff's mother, Ms Janet Pierce, sobbed as she confirmed a transcript of the message at the inquest.

Mrs Cluff had a history of drug and alcohol problems and had tried to kill herself seven times before.

Mr Wood revealed that he and Mrs Cluff used their giros to pay for drugs and that, despite being on a methadone programme for her heroin addiction, Mrs Cluff continued to use crack cocaine and alcohol.

He told the inquest that on the night of her death she seemed stressed and had told him she didn't want to see him any more.

A toxicology report showed that at her time of death Mrs Cluff was nearly three times over the legal drink-drive limit and had a high level of methadone in her blood.

Paying tribute to her daughter after the inquest, Ms Pierce said: "I'm absolutely devastated that I've lost her and I wish she'd done something better with her life. It was such a waste. She was a beautiful girl."

Presiding coroner Dr William Dolman recorded a verdict of suicide.