The Bond girl who starred in On Her Majesty's Secret died in April after drinking a corrosive cleaning liquid, a court heard.

Angela Scoular's death was not suicide, the coroner ruled. Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox recorded a verdict that the actress, who lived in Maida Vale, west London, killed herself "while the balance of her mind was disturbed".

Ms Scoular, 65, already suffered from bowel cancer and had battled against alcoholism, depression. She also worried about debts, Westminster Coroner's Court was told.

Leslie Phillips, the Carry On star who married Ms Scoular in 1982, was unable to attend the hearing. In a statement read to the court he said that his wife was, "a kind, generous person who would help me with my work and I would help with hers."

He said their life together had been happy. "The only exception was her alcoholism," he added.

Ms Scoular fought her alcoholism for years. Shortly before her death she had been arrested for drunk driving while at the same time taking medication for bipolar disorder.

Dr Wilcox said that Ms Scoular's death was caused by the ingestion of a corrosive substance and multiple fractures. She died shortly after drinking the acidic liquid, which she also poured over her body.

Ms Scoular had been diagnosed with cancer in 2008 but was given the all clear after treatment and surgery. However, months before her death she began to fear the return of the disease.

In 1966 she played Buttercup in the Bond spoof Casino Royale. Later, in 1969, she played Ruby Bartlett in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Over the course of her career she acted in films, television and theatre. In 1967, she played the role of Cathy in a BBC adaptation of Wuthering Heights.

Cancer London