An inquest has heard how a young Colby woman died from the effects of acute alcohol intoxication and drugs, after a party with friends.

Lorna Brown, 27, died in Noble's Hospital in March after falling into a coma.

Coroner of Inquests John Needham said Miss Brown was looking for a fun time with friends, but had paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The inquest heard Lorna Brown had been put to bed drunk at her home in Main Road, Colby, by a friend on March 11.

Her partner of seven years, James Whittle, raised the alarm after he found she'd stopped breathing when he went to check on her.

Mr Whittle tried CPR until parademics arrived but Miss Brown subsequently fell into a coma and died in the Intensive Care Unit at Noble's on Sunday, March 13.

A small quantity of the drug mephedrone was found in her blood - expert evidence to the inquest said alcohol abuse, not the drug, was the most likely cause of death.

The coroner concluded it was the combination and recorded a verdict of misadventure.

The hearing was told Miss Brown had a degree in forensic science; she and her partner who travelled widely together, were described as free spirits.