A MOTHER-of-five died of an accidental overdose only days before her twins' 10th birthday, an inquest heard.

Katherine Sissons, 42, of Birtwistle Avenue, Colne, was found collapsed on a footpath in Red Lane on December 17 last year.

The inquest heard that Miss Sissons had been out on an evening walk on Red Lane when she had collapsed after taking a combination of alcohol, anti-depressants and sleeping tablets.

A post mortem examination showed the levels of all three drugs were not high enough to suggest that she had intended to kill herself.

Miss Sissons had five children including twins who turned 10 on New Year's Eve.

The inquest heard she been diagnosed with depression 15 years ago.

Her mother Patricia Sissons said: "She had battled with depression and had been in and out of hospital as a result of it. She had previously made suicide attempts which we saw as a cry for help but she had got her life on track and seemed much happier in the past 10 years and had held down a job at SureStart."

Coroner Richard Taylor gave a verdict of accidental death, he said: "There is no evidence to suggests that she intended to take her own life.

"This was a tragic accident that happened to someone who was looking forward to Christmas."