A CIVIL servant who worked for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) at the sensitive US surveillance station at Menwith Hill, killed herself and blamed unrelenting job pressures, an inquest has heard.

Victoria Moulton's husband Christopher told North Yorkshire coroner Geoff Fell: "If she had been properly treated from the word go, she would still be alive now.''

The inquest at Harrogate Magistrates Court heard that the 48-year-old had been found drowned at the Nidd Gorge beauty spot close to Scotton, Knaresborough.

Mr Fell recorded a verdict that Mrs Moulton, of Fewston Crescent, Harrogate, took her own life while the balance of her mind was disturbed.

He read a statement from Mr Moulton, who said his wife of six years had worked at Menwith Hill for 15 years.

Promotion had led to depression earlier this year and she blamed staff shortages and lack of support.

Mrs Moulton had received counselling at her local health centre but after six sessions she declined to continue, saying she could not afford any more time off work.

Although she had been signed off work in June on the edge of a nervous breakdown she had gone back to work because she had been ''pressured into it," he said.'

Mr Fell read a letter from the MoD's occupational welfare service which said Mrs Moulton had spoken of stress and had asked to be downgraded to escape the pressures. She had been encouraged to take time off.

Mrs Moulton had taken an overdose of anti-depressants and drunk alcohol before going to the river.