A “bright and bubbly” young woman had gone missing in the hours before her death, an inquest heard.

Nicola Wilson, 26, of Greengarth, Great Clifton, died near Lowca Lane in Seaton on October 23 last year.

The inquest in Cockermouth heard that Miss Wilson, who was known as Nic, had struggled with her mental health since she was 14. Her mum Julie described her as a generous person who was focused on a bright future and looking forward to plans she had made.

Coroner Kirsty Gomersal concluded Miss Wilson died as a result of hanging, however she could not determine if she had intended to end her own life.

The inquest heard Miss Wilson had been out drinking in Workington on the night of October 21 before going back to a friend’s house in the early hours with a group of people. The group decided to take dogs out in fields near Lowca Lane but Miss Wilson became separated from the group and they were unable to find her.

Miss Wilson’s mum and friends were unable to contact her later on October 22, which sparked a search involving police officers, the National Police Air Service and the coastguard.

A group of friends joined the search and continued looking for Miss Wilson after the official search stopped when it got dark. They found Miss Wilson at about 2.45am on October 23 and she was pronounced dead just after 3am.

Miss Wilson’s mum told the inquest that her daughter had struggled with her mental health and self-harmed since she was 16.

She said: “[Nic] was a bright and bubbly young lady. She was very much somebody who would put others before herself.”

Miss Wilson’s mum last saw her daughter on the afternoon of October 21 and said she had seemed excited about her birthday plans the following weekend and her new dog.

She said her daughter identified as transgender and was looking forward to the process of transitioning. She told the inquest that she did not believe her daughter had intended to take her own life.

However, she added: “I always thought the day would come when somebody would knock on my door and say that she had.”

A toxicology report confirmed Miss Wilson had consumed alcohol and her mum said she did not think rationally when she had been drinking.

Ms Gomersal recorded a narrative verdict. She said: “I can be satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Nic died as a result of a deliberate act that she undertook herself. Whether Nic intended to take her own life gives me huge difficulties.”

Miss Wilson grew up in Great Clifton and attended Derwent Vale Primary School then Stainburn School.

She worked at The Entertainer toy shop in Workington and had previously worked in bars and restaurants.

She was also a talented rugby player and cook.

Her mum added: “She was a very popular individual and had lots of friends.We knew she was popular but we didn’t realise how popular until the day of the funeral.”

Miss Wilson had been engaging with Mind in West Cumbria, a local mental health charity which she had raised money for.

n If you need emotional support, call Samaritans on 116 123.