A mum has paid a heartfelt tribute to a team of carers who became her daughter's "best friends", saying at an inquest into her death that they gave the best care possible.

Viola Rosa Galia died suddenly on March 29 last year after choking on some food.

The 32-year-old, from the Stanwix area of Carlisle, had spent her life battling a range of serious health problems, including Down's syndrome, autism and chronic heart and lung problems.

However, despite those issues her life had been made brighter by the team of carers and support workers who diligently looked after her right up until her death, her mother Jane Galia told the inquest.

Viola, a former pupil of the city's James Rennie School, had been cared for by support workers from Cumbria County Council and a team from Wigton-based Chrysalis in recent years.

Ms Galia described her daughter as small and cuddly.

"People were very fond of her but she did take a lot of looking after," she told the inquest.

"Because she was an only child, these girls [carers] gave her an extra dimension in her life.

"They were her best friends, her sisters, her cousins, her aunties. They just gave her an extra dimension in life.

"I pay the most heartfelt tribute to them.

"She always had the best medical care and the love and attention of these wonderful people."

Many of the carers who'd played a part in her life spoke at the inquest.

One of them was Diane Armstrong, a support worker for the county council, who had worked with Viola for about five years.

She had been with Viola when she passed away and told the inquest about how she and a fellow carer had taken her out for the day - as they did each week - to enjoy some lunch.

However, after the incident the pair - along with other members of the public - had done everything possible to save her life but she was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary where she was pronounced dead.

The hearing, at Cumbria House in Carlisle, also heard from Annamarie Armstrong, the county council's assistant locality manager for Carlisle and Eden.

She was in a managerial position supervising the caring team but earlier in her career had worked with Viola as a youngster.

She said: "Viola was a gorgeous child who was a kind of whirlwind who grew up into a fine young lady with a good sense of humour.

"Although she struggled with her disabilities and autism she was very brave in coping with it."

Ms Galia added: "I remember Annamarie and her team saying 'tell us what has to be done and we will do it'.

"I've always thought what a wonderful philosophy and attitude. I can't praise them enough."

In her conclusion, coroner Kally Cheema marked the death as an accident.

Viola, who the inquest heard loved to sing and dance, is survived by her mum and dad Franco.