A woman who was found dead in her vehicle along with her dog "lived for her work and loved animals," an inquest heard on Thursday.

The body of Helen Brown, of Rhosgranog Uchaf, Llandeloy, was recovered from a lake in Hayscastle in the early hours of Sunday, May 9th. She was 42.

Coroner's officer Jeremy Davies said Ms Brown enjoyed outdoor life, and had returned to live with her parents in Pembrokeshire in 2009 after living in London.

The inquest heard evidence from Richard Wilson, who owns the private lane alongside the lake. He said at around 10pm on May 8th, a vehicle had driven down his lane towards his house, only to turn around.

"I got up to try and identify the vehicle but it disappeared down the lane," he added.

Mr Wilson said when he drove to work at 6.45am the following morning, he noticed an upside down vehicle in the lake.

"I drove away to get phone signal and phoned the emergency services."

PC Ian Pathak, of Dyfed-Powys Police Investigation Unit, said the roof area of the vehicle was dented and both Ms Brown's body and that of a large dog were recovered.

HM Coroner Mark Layton also read out a statement from Angela Phillips, landlady of the Hayscastle Cross pub. She said Ms Brown had been in the pub on the evening of May 8th from around 7.45pm to 9.40pm, and had drank just one glass of wine and soda.

Helen's father, Meyrick Brown, handed in a statement which described his daughter as a "superbly fit, athletic young woman."

He also said at the time of her death, Helen was becoming increasingly concerned about the welfare of two horses.

Mr Layton said a post mortem report concluded Ms Brown died from drowning. He delivered a verdict of accidental death, and offered sympathies to Ms Brown's family and friends.