A WOMAN whose body was found in the grounds of Auckland Castle had taken her own life, an inquest heard.

Donna Elizabeth Green's body was discovered hanging from Jock's Bridge, in the parkland at Bishop Auckland, by a dog walker at around 8.30am on Wednesday, January 13.

The 62-year-old had been reported missing from home the previous night by staff at sheltered accommodation in Chilton. She had not been seen since that morning when she spoke to a fellow resident.

Acting Detective Gavin Wilkes told the hearing, at Crook Civic centre today (Wednesday, March 23) that firefighters were called to help recover the body.

He said she had suffered mental health problems and, although no note referring to an intention to self harm was found, there were no suspicious circumstances.

Senior coroner Andrew Tweddle said a post mortem determined the cause of Miss Green's death to be hanging and he concluded she died as a result of suicide.