A depressed woman from Putney hanged herself almost three months after taking anti-smoking drugs thought to be risky for people with psychiatric illness.

Former trainee accountant Carmel Murray lost her job after her depression resurfaced, an inquest heard.

The 33-year-old, of Galveston Road, was found by her mother, who lived at the same address, hanging from bannisters by a length of electricity cable on February 18 this year.

Police arrived at the house shortly afterwards but Ms Murray was confirmed dead at the scene.

Westminster Coroner's Court heard on Tuesday how she had previously suffered from depression in 2000 which led to two overdoses.

In November last year, Ms Murray saw her GP Dr Dheeren Patel in a bid to quit smoking as she was getting through about 100 cigarettes a week.

Dr Patel had prescribed her a course of the anti-smoking drug Champix, whose guidelines advised GPs not to give the drug to pregnant women and to show caution when prescribing the drug to patients with a history of psychiatric illness, decreased kidney function or epilepsy.

However he said he was unaware of the drug's dangers for people with psychiatric illness until after Ms Murray's death.

He told the inquest: "She had suffered from depression and overdoses in the past but recently had become much better. At the time there was no knowledge of the drug's dangers, but subsequently reports have come out."

A post-mortem conducted by pathologist Dr Peter Wilkins revealed circumferential ligature around the neck consistent with hanging.

It also showed that Ms Murray had no trace of alcohol or drugs in her blood but a small reading of Champix was detected.

However, Dr Wilkins said he was satisfied this was consistent with therapeutic use of the drug.

Coroner Dr Paul Knapman told the court: "Ms Murray had lost her job and had clearly become depressed. Several typed letters addressed to various family members and written by Ms Murray were found in her room and these made her course of action seem clear.

"The association of Champix is not clear but what is clear is that this is a case of suicide. However, no definite conclusion can come from this case.

"She was found hanging at her home address and was confirmed dead at the scene. I say she killed herself and the sympathy of the court goes out to her family and friends."

A verdict of suicide was recorded.