A BREAST cancer sufferer died after drinking a lethal amount of alcohol, an inquest heard.

Patricia McNickle, 57, of Oak Court, Huddersfield, died at her home after she collapsed with her head on a chair and suffocated.

Ms McNickle was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2010 and was due to start radiotherapy in October.

A post mortem carried out showed she had 240mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood which is three times the legal drink drive limit.

The inquest heard she was a heavy smoker but no indication was given as to whether the cancer was terminal.

Coroner Professor Paul Marks recorded verdict of accidental death.