AN INQUEST into the death of a fashion designer who lived near Warminster ruled she died from natural causes.

Monique Walker, 37, from Knook, died after she suffered an asthma attack last August.

The inquest heard that Mrs Walker suffered from a wheat intolerance and on the day she died ate a Cornish pasty for lunch.

Early that evening she began feeling ill, and had an asthma attack in the bathroom. Mrs Walker called for her husband, Alistair Fulton.

He gave her the inhaler she used but her condition was not improving so he called for an ambulance.

Mrs Walker then collapsed and Mr Fulton tried to resuscitate her.

She was rushed to Salisbury District Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Dr Claire Fuller, of Salisbury Hospital, carried out the post mortem examination on August 13.

In a written statement she said: "The deceased was known to suffer from asthma and in my opinion the cause of death was natural. The evidence indicates that Mrs Walker died from acute asthma.

Deputy Coroner William Bache said the death of a talented fashion designer was an untimely tragedy.

He said: "The deceased, it is understood, suffered from an antipathy to wheat.

"The result of the post mortem examination seems to point away from any wheat intolerance. She was a chronic asthma sufferer. After her attack her husband did everything he could to attempt to resuscitate her."

Mrs Walker was one of five million UK asthma sufferers.

Asthma affects the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.

Attacks are triggered when, the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten, narrowing them and making it harder to breathe. On average three people a day die from asthma in the UK.