An Eastbourne woman who plunged to her death from Beachy Head was a talented illustrator who worked on books by Enid Blyton.

Elizabeth Taylor, of Bedford Grove, Eastbourne, was found halfway down the 600ft cliff at the notorious Sussex suicide spot with a second woman, who was bound and gagged.

But police say the two victims were not related and their deaths are not being treated as suspicious.

They believe it was a coincidence both bodies were discovered at the same time last Friday, with inquiries suggesting they had fallen just days apart.

Last night, Mrs Taylor's family said she had been suffering from depression for several years.

Mrs Taylor, 39, had been a pupil at Holy Rosary Convent and all-girls Moira House School in Upper Carlise Road, Eastbourne, before working as a freelance artist and illustrator.

Her works included the illustrations for the republished Enid Blyton books about four years ago.

Mrs Taylor had lived in London and was about to move with her husband to a flat in Brighton.

A family member, who did not want to be named, said: "She was an extremely popular, vivacious woman with a gift for art and illustration. But she had been suffering from depression.

"It has been a great shock for all of us. She was such a lovely person."

More than 200 mourners are expected at her funeral at the 19th Century St Mary's Church in Hampden Park, Eastbourne, on August 1st.

Police say the bound and gagged woman has yet to be formally identified, due to difficulties in tracing her next of kin.

Post-mortem examinations on both victims are expected later this week. Inquests will be held.