An alcoholic was left looking like a concentration camp inmate after wasting away in her own home, an inquest was told.

Christine Williams was found in an emaciated condition with a wine bottle under her arm after a worried neighbour called the police to her flat in Southfields.

At Westminster Coroner’s Court on Tuesday, coroner Shirley Radcliffe said: “Her body looked like someone who had just come out of a concentration camp.”

She also described a “mountain” of wine bottles found near the body, and said it was clear the woman had been dead for some time.

The court heard paramedics found the charity worker’s body at about 4pm on December 1 last year at her flat in Whitlock Drive.

They entered the filthy home to find many rooms had broken or missing lightbulbs, piles of unopened mail near the front door and the fridge filled with rotting food.

Ms Williams’ body was found under a blanket on her sofa, and her television had not been turned off.

The court heard the former secretary, who lived on her own, had helped to produce a magazine for disabled readers. She also volunteered to chat with lonely blind people.

Dr Radcliffe said her partner had died in 2008, leaving her “devastated”.

The court heard Ms Williams had seen her GP earlier last year about a range of serious health problems - including anorexia and diarrhoea. The doctor also noticed the patient’s extremely high alcohol intake, organised blood tests and unsuccessfully asked her to go to hospital to get more treatment.

Dr Radcliffe said: “She was categorical in her refusal of any further help.”

Dr Radcliffe recorded a death of natural causes contributed to by self neglect.