A RETAIL assistant from Flint died of liver failure due to alcohol, an inquest heard.

Kay Thorley, of Maes Gwyn, died at her home address on June 7 this year. She was 35.

Resuming an inquest into her death John Gittins, coroner for North Wales (east and central), read a statement from Miss Thorley’s mother, Valerie Thorley.

In it she said her daughter’s health had begun to decline about seven years ago after the death of a family member - following which she cut herself off from her family.

The inquest - held at County Hall in Mold on Tuesday - heard from a statement by friend Helen Hughes how in recent years Miss Thorley had “become an alcoholic” and was “a secret drinker”.

She added her friend had told her she was drinking large quantities of alcohol each night and that she had been admitted to hospital on a number of occasions.

Miss Thorley’s mum explained how her daughter was admitted to hospital a week before her death.

She said her daughter had been aware she did not have long to live and wanted to be in her own home.

In a statement Dr Zvonimir Miric, consultant gastroenterologist, said Miss Thorley had been known to the gastroenterology service and had previously been admitted eight times for liver issues.

Her medical cause of death was confirmed to be liver failure due to alcoholic liver disease.

The coroner offered his condolences to Miss Thorley’s family after recording a conclusion of an alcohol related death.