A group that helped a York widow to kill herself with a plastic bag has been condemned by the city's coroner.

Elizabeth Ogston, 85, was not suffering a terminal illness and was not in pain, but she decided to commit suicide 18 months after her husband died, because she feared going deaf and senile.

Today, the organisation that gave her advice on how to end her own life - the Voluntary Euthanasia Society (VES), formerly known as Exit - defended itself after York's coroner told an inquest of his "distaste" at its involvement.

Mrs Ogston, of Dewsbury Terrace, York, a member of the euthanasia society, wrote suicide notes to her two daughters and the police, and put a plastic bag over her head - after reading an advice booklet sent to her by the VES.

She was found dead at home by police who broke in on January 28 after they were alerted by Mrs Ogston's daughter, Frances Dalesman.

Her courage was hailed by a fellow member of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society and a former headmistress of The Mount school, York, Joyce Pickard, who said of Mrs Ogston shortly after her death: "She realised she was getting rapidly deaf and losing her memory, apart from the loneliness of being on her own after a long and happy marriage."

But York coroner Donald Coverdale, recording a verdict of suicide, attacked the society for furnishing Mrs Ogston with advice on how to end her own life.

"I have seen these publications before and I have not hesitated to express my distaste," he said.

"I am sure she had thought this through and made a decision that was correct for her at that time."

But he said: "It is unfortunate if an organisation can have a hand in the ending of somebody's life when that somebody is no doubt well loved, respected and cared for, and is not in ill health."

The inquest was told that Mrs Ogston was mobile and was not suffering a terminal illness, nor pain, nor distress, and had a close family.

She had been prescribed anti-depressants following the death of her husband, Dr Alexander Ogston, a former president of Trinity College, Oxford, in June, 1996.

VES spokeswoman Meredith McArdle said: "Member feel it is not the length of life, but the quality of that life which our members believe is important."

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