A "wonderful and caring" horsewoman took her own life in woodland the day before she was due to have counselling for anxiety, an inquest has heard.

Kirsty Hawkins, 40, was found dead off Bigbury Road in Chartham Hatch, just after 7am on March 7 this year.

Her father had reported her missing the evening before, sparking a huge search involving police dogs and helicopters.

An inquest at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone yesterday (Monday) was told she had left a note outlining her intentions.

Ms Hawkins, an office manager who lived in Jasmine Close, Chartham, suffered anxiety and depression and had been prescribed anti-depressants by her GP, the hearing was told.

She was also seeing a private counsellor for one to one sessions.

Counsellor Becky Stone told the inquest, in written evidence, that she last saw Ms Hawkins on March 2 and she was booked to come back on March 8, the day after she died.

She also had an appointment to see her GP, in what turned out to be the week after her death.

On February 22 this year, Ms Hawkins had to be taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford after overdosing on medication.

She denied this was an attempt at suicide, saying she had taken the tablets in an episode of panic and anxiety.

The inquest heard she was in the process of moving house and that had overwhelmed her.

Investigating police said that there had been no suspicious circumstances and no evidence of any third party involvement in her death.

Toxicology tests found she had only 27 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, well below what would be the drink-drive limit of 80.

Joanne Andrews, area coroner for North East Kent, said: "She had a history of depression and she left a note indicating her intention to take her own life.

"I can record suicide on the balance of probabilities.

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"I have to be satisfied that she intended to take her own life and sadly I am."

Ms Hawkins was a dog lover and keen horsewoman in her spare time.

News of her death sparked an outpouring of tributes on social media.

One person wrote: "I was a friend of Kirsty and want to offer my deepest condolences to the family.

"She truly was a wonderful, caring lady who I was lucky to call a friend. I will miss her so much, as will so many people."

Another posted: "I only met Kirsty in the last year but what a lovely person she was. She radiated kindness."

Another tribute read: "Kirsty will continue to live on in our hearts and memories. Her beautiful soul is with nan and gramp now."

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123.