Briony Blackwell a member of the Oxford publishing family, killed herself because she could not cope with an incurable illness, an inquest heard.

She was discovered by her father, David Petchey, face down on her bathroom floor dressed in a ballgown and surrounded by tablets, syringes and a loaded shotgun.

Mrs Blackwell, 45, who is believed to have suffered from multiple chemical sensitivity, was virtually housebound as a result of the disease and breathed through an oxygen mask.

Oxfordshire Coroner Nicholas Gardiner on Thursday (23 May) ruled that during the night between August 5 and 6 last year, Mrs Blackwell had taken her own life by injecting herself with an overdose of morphine which she was prescribed to relieve her symptoms.

The existence of the disease is disputed within the medical profession, but symptoms include fatigue, memory loss, depression and pain.

Mrs Blackwell lived in Tubney, near Abingdon, with her husband, Miles. He died of an internal haemorrhage three weeks after her death.

The inquest heard her husband's failing health was another factor in her decision to take her own life.

Mr Petchey, of Faringdon, said his daughter had often talked of suicide.

He said: "She was getting more and more depressed all the time, it was just ongoing.

"The fact that her husband was ill was also another diff- iculty."

Mrs Blackwell's GP, Dr Mary Hughes said her patient's symptoms had "caused a lot of agitation" and that she had questioned her about euthanasia.

Consultant allergist, Dr David Freed told the hearing Mrs Blackwell had been in a "state of despair".