Janet Sawyer, 52, of Peveril Crescent, waited until the train was almost level with her before stepping in front of it on the morning of Monday September 28 last year.

Mairin Casey, the assistant deputy coroner for Nottinghamshire, said Mrs Sawyer had originally stepped out onto the line, but then stepped back when the train driver sounded his horn.

A statement from the driver of the Worksop to Nottingham service was read out in court.

It said: "I saw a person step out but they then stepped back again. I assumed the person had seen me.

"As I got to the crossing, the person suddenly stepped back on to the crossing."

The inquest in Nottingham heard that Mrs Sawyer suffered several traumas during her life and was also stressed about a court case relating to a criminal investigation.

She was due in court on the day of her death.

Her mum had died when Mrs Sawyer was very young, and her dad passed away in 1990.

She also suffered a miscarriage and was told she could not have children.

But her husband, Jeffrey Sawyer, and her friend, Sharon Baker, both told the inquest that Mrs Sawyer had given no indication that she wanted to harm herself.

Police found two 'farewell' messages at Mrs Sawyer's home, one for her husband and one for a friend.

Miss Casey recorded a verdict of suicide and added: "Janet was clearly contemplating this act before her death."