A HAMPSHIRE woman died after years of alcohol abuse, an inquest heard.

Southampton Coroner’s Court heard Lesley Early, who would drink a strong bottle of cider every day, was found lying dead on her bedroom floor on the morning of December 2.

A neighbour made a 999 call after finding the 50-year-old’s body shortly after 4.30am.

Paramedics were met by Mrs Early’s partner, also an alcoholic, and a friend, both of whom had been drinking vodka since 11am the previous morning, and told ambulance staff they thought she had died at 8.30pm that evening.

The court heard the pair were so drunk they repeatedly asked why the emergency services were there and where Mrs Early was.

Police were called but officers later decided there was nothing suspicious about Mrs Early’s death.

Pathologist Dr Norman Carr said a post mortem examination revealed severe pneumonia in Mrs Early’s lungs and alcohol damage to her liver.

He said she was also suffering from blood condition ketosis which can be caused by heavy drinking.

Coroner Keith Wiseman said Mrs Early, of Sturminster House, Shirley, died of natural causes.