A hunger-striking pensioner starved herself to death in protest at being told to leave her old people's home, an inquest heard.

Moyra Perry-Phillips, 75, became a resident at Kingston House on Kings Road, Clacton, in February.

Marie Baya, owner of the home, yesterday told Essex coroner Dr Malcolm Weir that Mrs Perry-Phillips was vegetarian and frail.

She said she refused to eat Linda McCartney vegetarian meals, picked at her food and was losing weight.

"She was very difficult and would make unfriendly remarks to other residents," she added.

Social worker Louise Smerdon said: "She was a demanding lady and would sometimes manipulate the truth. She would not accept anything if she didn't want to.

"She had a tendency to ask quite intrusive, personal questions and if people didn't agree with her views she would become quite irritated."

The inquest heard Mrs Perry-Phillips upset so many people that in July it was decided she should move to another home.

She was shown other accommodation but she did not want to leave, despite telling staff shortly after she arrived that she wanted to be moved.

Coroner's officer Ian Hunter told the inquest at Colchester Town Hall: "She said she did not want to leave and went on hunger strike for a few weeks."

He said she had a history of alcohol abuse and psychiatric problems and was under the care of social services and a psychiatrist.

She was seen at least once a month by a psychiatric nurse.

Mrs Perry-Phillips fainted while taking a bath on September 21 and was taken to Colchester General Hospital.

She was soon discharged but at the home her condition deteriorated and she died later the same day in hospital.

A post-mortem examination revealed she died of severe malnutrition.

Dr Weir said: "She was an extremely difficult lady with a very strong mind. She had considerable insight and was extremely intelligent."

Recording a verdict of death by natural causes contributed to by self-neglect Dr Weir said: "Basically this was self-imposed self-neglect.

"There is nothing social services or anybody else can do if people refuse to eat or drink."

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