A MOTHER whose “smile would light up a room” was found dead in her room after taking an overdose of medication and other drugs.

Lesley Ridley, from Hurstpierpoint, suffered chronic pain following a car crash in 2013.

She had severe pain in her knees and hands due to an unsuccessful operation following the accident.

The 49-year-old also battled with post-natal depression and serious pelvic pain.

She was known to smoke cannabis for her pelvic pain, but had also been prescribed dihydrocodeine and tramadol to treat her symptoms, an inquest into her death heard.

The former Royal Mail manager was found dead face down on her bedroom floor in Pierspoint Close on October 3 last year.

Her death was confirmed at about 6pm that day.

A post-mortem revealed she had taken paracetamol and mephedrone as well as her prescribed medication in the time leading up to her death.

She was also taking pills for her low moods and depression.

The inquest in Crawley heard that when her son Felix died it was “devastating” for her and her family.

They fell behind on their bills and it “took its toll” on her relationship with her husband.

She struggled to work because of her mental state as did her husband Andrew, who attempted to take his own life after Felix died.

They separated but Mrs Ridley was pregnant with their fifth son, Noah.

When he was born the couple decided to stay together.

Mr Ridley said in a statement read out in court that despite Felix’s death and the pain from the car accident, she was not depressed but frustrated with the “longstanding pain in her knees”.

He also said her pelvic pain led her to smoke cannabis and caused her serious distress.

Assistant coroner for West Sussex Karen Harrold said Mrs Ridley’s consumption of mephedrone, paracetamol and a lethal amount of dihydrocodeine and tramadol led to respiratory arrest.

She said: “She was not fully aware of how dangerous her medication was and as a result died not knowing the consequences.

“She suffered breathing difficulties from taking too much medication.

“Leslie had a long standing problem with both her knees as a result of being in a car accident.

“She was in a significant amount of pain that led to the use of prescription medication.

Ms Harrold recorded a conclusion that Mrs Ridley died as the result of an accident from taking too much pain medication.

Mr Ridley said: “She was a good mother and wife.

“She was bubbly and her smile would light up the room. She was loved by everyone she met.”

“She was looking forward to having her grandchildren visit.”