A "BEAUTIFUL and talented" young teacher who spoke five languages died from hypothermia on the Lake District fells after setting off alone on a 'hostel to hostel' walk.

An inquest at Cockermouth Coroners' Court heard that Kirsty Flanagan was an outstanding student who after studying French and Greek at Oxford University, went on to train as a teacher.

She flourished in her new career and proved a hugely popular and dedicated teacher, most recently at a school in Chingford, East London, and in addition spent time in Japan working on a project with orphans.

The 25-year-old was also an experienced walker who had been on long hikes in Morocco and South East Asia, though she was less experienced in colder conditions such as those which can occur in the Lake District.

The inquest heard that she had intended to travel to Cumbria with a friend in early April, 2018, to tackle the 'hostel to hostel' walks which are popular among those staying at youth hostels in the National Park.

When the friend decided not to make the trip, Ms Flanagan decided to go ahead with her plans.

She checked into the YHA's Langdale hostel at Loughrigg on the evening of April 3 and is understood to have left the following morning with the intention of walking to the Borrowdale youth hostel.

However, her family in Higher Blackley, Manchester became concerned when she did not respond to efforts to contact her later that day.

On the morning of April 5, after what the court heard had been a treacherous night of weather, a walker discovered her lying on snow covered ground close to Angle Tarn on Rossett Pike.

Emergency services were called but Ms Flanagan was pronounced dead at the scene.

After studying medical reports and noting that her rucksack was later recovered some distance away close to Bowfell, Cumbria area coroner Kirsty Gomersal concluded that while there as no firm evidence, it was most likely Ms Flanagan had suffered a fall which had caused concussion, though the eventual cause of death was hypothermia.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Ms Gomersal described Ms Flanagan as a "beautiful and talented young lady who will be sadly missed" and offered her deepest sympathy to her family and friends.