A university secretary set herself on fire in the back garden of her village home, an inquest heard.

Jennifer Harries, who died after becoming engulfed in flames, was said to be suffering panic and anxiety attacks about her future at the time.

Her burning body was discovered by her husband William at their home in Chartham Hatch, where she was an active and popular member of the community.

Mr Harries had been working on their vegetable patch across the road when he heard a bang and a scream before running back to their rear garden to find the horrific scene.

Mr Harries told the hearing at Canterbury Coroner's Court his 65-year-old wife had become acutely anxious about her health problems, which included rheumatoid arthritis and cataracts.

He said: "She was concerned she wouldn't be able to drive. She also loved the structure of her job and anything that affected it would really knock her.

"She had been suffering with anxiety since last August and was seeing her GP and had just started engaging with the mental health services."

He said his wife, who was a secretary at the University of Kent, went into a downward spiral and began to self-harm despite efforts to help her.

On the day of her death, on April 7, picture framer Mr Harries said his wife was quiet, but they spoke and there was no indication she would do anything.

He told coroner Rebecca Cobb he was working on a vegetable plot on land opposite their home in Primrose Lane and his wife was in the back garden.

He said he saw her around the garage and that he was half keeping a check on her.

Mr Harries said: "She told me she was looking in the freezer but thinking back on it, I believe she was looking for the petrol can we have for the lawn mower.

"I saw her looking around the corner of the house but now I feel she was checking on where I was. She didn't acknowledge me and slowly walked away."

He also saw a tarpaulin on the ground but did not think anything of it at the time.

Mr Harries returned to the vegetable plot and then heard a bang and a scream.

He said: "I ran back thinking something had fallen on her in the garage – then I saw her in flames."

Mr Harries called the emergency services and volunteer responder medic Scott Deadman was at the scene first.

In a statement to the hearing he said Mr Harries led him to the back garden.

Mr Deadman said: "It was clear she was beyond help and I took him away."

She was later identified by dental records and a post-mortem confirmed she died from extensive burns.

An investigation revealed Mrs Harries had probably wrapped herself in the tarpaulin before setting fire to herself, but all that remained of it were the metal ringlets.

Initially, when a police detective helped search for a note, none was found. But several weeks later Mr Harries said he discovered one while looking through some of her old handbags.

"I ran back thinking something had fallen on her in the garage – then I saw her in flames..." - William Harries

Although undated, he said it seemed to explain everything and agreed with the coroner that it appeared to be a farewell note.

Recording a verdict that Mrs Harries had taken her own life, Miss Cobb said she was satisfied it was a deliberate act.

Mrs Harries's sudden and tragic death shocked villagers in Chartham Hatch where she was well known and respected and had been involved in numerous activities and groups for 25 years.

In 2007, she co-wrote a book called Chartham Hatch - From Village Hall to Village School.

She also served as treasurer of the village hall committee and was a member of the Chartham Chameleons drama group, the village gardening club and Kent Wildlife Trust.

At the time of her death, neighbours Mike and Barbara Armstrong said: "She was a lovely lady and it is very sad."

Parish council chairman Carol Manning added: "She was a very active member of the village and had so many interests, including editing the parish magazine. She will be missed by all the village."