TWO children found their mother hanging from the stairway when they returned to their Malvern home from school, an inquest has heard.

The inquest was told that Virginia Croft, who worked as an accountant, was found on Wednesday, July 3.

Worcestershire coroner Victor Round opened the inquest into the death of 35-year-old Mrs Croft, of The Retreat, Chester Place, at County Hall on Monday (July 8).

"She was last seen by her husband Michael, a kitchen fitter, who left the house at 8.15am," said Mr Round.

"She then took the children to school and returned home. The children were brought home in the afternoon by a neighbour and Mrs Croft was found by the children hanged by the neck - a sheet had been tied to the stairway.

"Dr Paul Dunn gave the cause of death as by asphyxiation and a series of notes were left."

The inquest was adjourned.