An airport worker suffering from depression was found dead in her fume-filled car, an inquest heard.

Carol Dyer, 52, of Allyington Way, Worth, near Crawley, drove off from her home saying she was going to visit friends.

Her body was found in her Renault parked in a field off Hammerpond Lane, Lower Beeding, near Horsham, on January 8. A pipe led from the vehicle's exhaust to inside the car.

Before taking time off through depression, Mrs Dyer was a bubbly and popular member of staff at the BAA Gatwick call centre where she had worked since 1983. She had also been a leading performer with amateur dramatic companies.

In a written statement, Peter Dyer explained his wife had suffered depression 15 years earlier and had then taken an overdose of medication but was found in time.

He said: "Last year Carol had a severe bronchial infection and the after-effects, together with stress at work, left her depressed."

A post-mortem examination showed death was due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Deputy West Sussex Coroner Dr David Skipp recorded a verdict of suicide.