Chesterfield coroner's court heard how Nichola Beighton, of Gorse Valley Way, Hasland, discovered husband Andrew Beighton (38) collapsed in her dining room while he had been staying at her home.

Despite calling emergency services and trying to resuscitate him, Mr Beighton was pronounced dead and a post mortem confirmed his death was consistent with a potentially fatal morphine overdose.

Mrs Beighton said: "Andrew and I were building our relationship back up and everything was going well. He'd had a great weekend and he was quite happy."

Jobless Mr Beighton, of Chesterfield Road, Grassmoor, had been staying at Mrs Beighton's home with their three children when she discovered him collapsed about 4am, on June 25.

The court heard Mrs Beighton had been taking prescription morphine for back pain and degenerative discs but discovered one bottle, which she had received the day before, had been emptied.

Mr Beighton had suffered with anxiety, depression, alcoholism, self harm and suicide attempts in the past, according to medical experts, but the inquest was satisfied he was not a drug addict or dependent on drugs.

Mrs Beighton added: "I've no thoughts whatsoever why he would take morphine but he was having problems with his back, legs and spasms.

"Andrew was not the kind of person who would take his life because he idolised his children and what had happened before had been a cry for help."

Police did not find a suicide note or anything to indicate Mr Beighton had chosen to take his life.

Deputy coroner for north Derbyshire Nigel Anderson ruled out suicide and recorded a verdict of accidental death. He said: "I conclude on the balance of probabilities he tried morphine for pain or another reason and had no idea what concentration was there."