A talented illustrator, found dead at a notorious beauty spot, suffered from a personality disorder.

The body of Elizabeth Taylor, 39, of Bedford Grove, Eastbourne, was discovered at Beachy Head on July 19, alongside the body of Sandy Watts, also from Eastbourne, who was discovered bound and gagged, a court heard.

Mrs Taylor, a former pupil at all-girls school Moira House had illustrated the reproduced Enid Blyton books.

Her body was discovered halfway down the 600ft cliffs.

Although initially treated as suspicious, police went on to rule out foul play and said the discovery of the bodies together had been a tragic coincidence.

Yesterday Mrs Taylor's husband and other relatives attended Eastbourne Magistrates Court for an inquest on Mrs Taylor's death.

Coroner Alan Craze heard from psychiatrist Michael Yates that she had been diagnosed with a bipolar personality disorder, which meant she fluctuated between manic moods and bouts of depression.

Despite medication, she had found it increasingly hard to cope with the low periods and had contemplated suicide, even driving to Beachy Head, before she changed her mind.

The court heard about 15 per cent of people suffering with the condition go on to commit suicide.

Mr Craze delivered a verdict of suicide.

A funeral, attended by hundreds of mourners, was held at St Mary's Church, Hampden Park, Eastbourne, on August 1.