A beloved Biddulph councillor and volunteer's death at Knypersley Reservoir was a suicide, a coroner's court heard today.

North Staffordshire Coroner's Court, sitting in Stoke-on-Trent today (Tuesday September 6th), held an inquest into the death of Cllr Hilda Sheldon MBE, who died at Knypersley Reservoir on Wednesday 8th June.

Biddulph town councillor and Biddulph In Bloom volunteering hero Hilda Sheldon passed away at Knypersley Reservoir after emergency services were called to reports of a woman in the water.

She co-ordinated the town's In Bloom efforts over almost 30 years and was awarded an MBE for her dedication to the town. She was also well known for running the town's Brammers shoe shop on Station Road, which has since announced that it is closing.

Following her death hundreds of residents paid their tributes, describing her as "selfless and irreplaceable". Family members also described her as "an amazing lady" and said they were "sorry she is no longer with us".

At today's inquest, West Midlands area coroner Emma Serrano read several statements regarding the circumstances of Cllr Sheldon's passing.

A statement by local police officer, PC Perry, explained that officers were called to reports of a missing person on 8th June.

It said: "We were deployed to a report of a missing female who left her home and was acting out of character. Family had concerns due to her not taking her phone, money keys or glasses. Her house was searched and a note was found. A neighbour said a body had been found in the water at Knypersley Pool. She was later identified to be Hilda Sheldon."

Similar statements were also read out by PCs Shropshire and Naheem.

A statement was then read by a nearby resident, Herbert Wood.

It said: "I was speaking to my next door neighbour who advised me that Hilda Sheldon had gone missing. I knew her for several years because we both live on Greenway Bank. I went for a walk around the reservoir and saw a body lying face down in the water. When I saw the hair in a bun I instantly thought of Hilda because she always had her hair like this."

A statement from Biddulph GP Dr Turner explained that she had been feeling stressed and anxious in the months leading up to her death.

It said: "She was feeling very stressed and feeling out of control. She was worried about closing her charity and showed symptoms of anorexia, obsessing over the fat and sugar content in food. She was also having illogical and catastrophic thoughts."

Cognitive Behavioural Therapist Louisa Pickford added: "She was described as being stressed and distressed. She was worried about finances despite there being no reason for this. She was finding it difficult to eat and was also having memory problems."

Taking into account all of the available evidence, the coroner concluded that the cause of death was suicide by immersion.

She said: "Taking into account of where she was found, in the reservoir face down, and the findings of the CT scan, the cause of death is consistent with immersion.

"Hilda had been having mental health issues in the lead up to her passing. When she left the house she didn't take anything with her and left a note consistent with someone who was about to take their life, explaining how she wanted her funeral to be conducted.

"There is no suggestion of any suspicious circumstances and no evidence that anyone else was involved. Therefore I am satisfied that she put herself into the water and intended to take her own life."

The coroner commented that she would have liked to have known Cllr Sheldon, and that she was sorry she was only hearing about her under such circumstances.

She asked a family member if there were any closing comments he wished to make. He said: "She was an amazing lady, and I am sorry she is no longer with us."

If you are struggling with your mental health, the Samaritans can be reached round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, it's best to call them on the phone. You can reach them by calling 116 123, by emailing [email protected] or by visiting www.samaritans.org

Call the NHS 111 service if you urgently require medical help or advice. The service is available 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

For information on mental health and support you can also call the Mind infoline on 0300 123 3393. Website: www.mind.org.uk . Email: [email protected]. Text: 86463. Lines are open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays).