A MUM-of-three who had battled a drink problem died at her home in Horwich.

Sarah Shaw was discovered dead in bed in January by police officers.

Although the 42-year-old suffered from mental illness and would binge drink, she had started to become more positive about life since the birth of her granddaughter 12 months ago, a Bolton inquest heard.

Ms Shaw’s mother, Rosemary Pasquill, told the inquest she had feared something would happen to her daughter as a result of her drinking and had become concerned about her.

“I thought her lifestyle was going to kill her” she said.

The body of the former clerical assistant was found by police officers who gained entry to her home in Claypool Road after she had not been seen for some time.

Social worker Emily Kenyon said Ms Shaw would drink when she could not sleep, but the recent birth of her granddaughter had been a positive influence and she had cut her alcohol use down.

“She did have a more positive mood,” she told the inquest.

Ms Shaw had also spent a considerable amount of money on her granddaughter.

A post mortem examination by Dr Emil Salmo revealed Ms Shaw had no alcohol in her system but had died from fatty liver disease which would, most probably, be caused by her long-term drinking problem.

In recording a verdict that Ms Shaw died as a result of “natural causes”, deputy coroner Alan Walsh said: “It’s important that people recognise the problems alcohol can cause to the organs of the body over a number of years.

“I am sorry her granddaughter will grow up without a grandmother who obviously doted on her.”