A woman was found hanging from the banisters of the home she shared with the "heart tsar", York surgeon Dr Roger Boyle, an inquest heard today.

Opening an inquest on 45-year-old Annette Aston, who was found dead in her home in Main Street, Copmanthorpe, last night, York coroner Donald Coverdale said she had been "suffering some depression recently".

She had spoken to her partner, whom Mr Coverdale said he understood was Dr Boyle on the telephone, and when he came home he found her hanging by the neck from the banisters.

She was pronounced dead by a police surgeon, and identified to the police by Dr Boyle. Following a post mortem the provisional cause of death was given as hanging. Mr Coverdale adjourned the inquest for further inquiries.

Ms Aston, who had previously worked at the Evening Press for around 18 months, was an animal lover and former RSPCA volunteer.

Mike Peters, chairman of the RSPCA's York branch, said: "As a former employee of York Animal Home, Annette became a very good friend to all the staff and volunteers. The branch is devastated by the news of her death, and sends its condolences to her family."

Shocked neighbours at Ms Aston's address in Healaugh said she had not been seen at her home in Church Hill Cottages for several weeks.

Gillian Hayward, whose father Fred Batchelor lives in the cottages, said Ms Aston had lived there alone for more than ten years.

"She would always say 'hello' and she loved animals. She would rescue any animal going," she said. We are really shocked."

Colleagues at her current workplace, Community Publications in Pocklington, were today too distressed to talk.

But one said: "The office had been frantically trying to contact Annette all week. No-one knew where she was."

Their office was closed for the day, as a mark of respect.

Ms Aston told former colleagues some weeks ago that she was engaged to be married to Dr Boyle, and showed them a diamond engagement ring.

A North Yorkshire police spokesman said: "At 20.41 last night we got a report of a woman found dead at a house in Main Street, Copmanthorpe. The death was not suspicious and the coroner has been informed."

A spokeswoman for York NHS Trust said today: "Dr Boyle is on compassionate leave due to a bereavement.

"We are not making any comment as this is an entirely personal matter."

Dr Boyle, who has worked at York District Hospital for 17 years, was appointed to the post of Britain's first heart tsar in March after being headhunted by national health chiefs.

He was a key figure in the success of the Evening Press's 1988 Lifesaver Appeal which raised cash for vital heart monitoring equipment at York District Hospital.