Laura Ferguson: Tragedy as showjumper who complained of headaches dies in her sleep after battle with anorexia Laura Ferguson developed an eating disorder after her mother died in 2008 She went to bed complaining of stinging eyes, tiredness and a sore head Father Joe Ferguson was unable to wake her the next day Found dead: Laura Ferguson, 26, died in her sleep after battling with anorexia A 26-year-old showjumper who suffered from anorexia died in her sleep after fighting a five-year battle with the eating disorder following the death of her mother. Laura Ferguson went to bed complaining about stinging eyes, tiredness and a sore head on Sunday. The next day her father was unable to wake her. The care support worker had been struggling with the eating disorder since her mother Anne, 54, passed away after suffering a heart attack in the bath on Christmas Day in 2008. During her illness she had posted pictures of her skinny legs on Facebook but in recent months Ms Ferguson had begun to get better and gain some weight again after getting treatment at an eating disorder rehabilitation clinic. Just hours before her death, she wrote on her Facebook page that she was enjoying carrot and coriander soup. She wrote: 'Omg why am I starting to come to life now when it's bed time!' She had also told friends she had 'not been this happy for years' and had even developed a craving for certain foods, leading her father to believe she had beaten the illness. Joe Ferguson a 59-year-old retired upholsterer, from Burnley, Lancashire said: "Laura had an eating disorder after her mum died but she was doing all right and she had put a bit of weight back on. She came home at 6pm and she was not working again until 8pm that evening. She had a sit down and we were talking and playing with the dog. Talented horse rider: Ms Ferguson, a medal-winning showjumper, complained of stinging eyes, tiredness and a headache the night before she was found dead Devastated: Her father Joe Ferguson thought his daughter had beaten anorexia after she started craving certain foods and put weight on Laura went to work at 8pm and she came home again at 9.10pm, had her tea and we sat in the living room. She said she was tired, had a bit of a headache and that her eyes were stinging. I told her to have an early night and she went to bed at 11.10pm. In the morning, I went downstairs for a brew and to take the dog out. I bobbed my head around the door of her room and it looked like she was asleep. She had the TV on and her eyes were half open and I thought she was dozing. I thought she was having a lie-in. At dinner time I thought I had better wake her up and I found her still the same. I rushed downstairs and phoned the emergency services but it was too late. Battled anorexia: Ms Ferguson (pictured with her mother Anne) developed the eating disorder after her mother died from a heart attack in 2008 Battling anorexia: Although the showjumper had lost a lot of weight, as shown in this photograph she posted on Facebook, she had begun to put it back on in recent months Looked like she was asleep: Ms Ferguson's father Joe Ferguson thought she was dozing when he checked her on Monday morning. It wasn't until later that he realised she had died In one Facebook message posted just two days before her death she wrote to a fellow horse rider taking part in a competition: 'Good luck. I'm working tomoz, I'm putting more hours into work now I've not got a horse. 'It's amazing how much spare money I have now lol I never thought I'd be happy without a horse but I haven't been this happy for years, in fact it was before my mum died was last time I was happy!' She added: 'Been like this for about a year now taking a fetish on certain foods then a month later I have a fetish on something else! Been through loads, egg mayo fetish, beet root fetish, tomato fetish, mashed potato fetish, chocolate fetish, fudge, mints, Turkish delight ah the list goes on! Pmsl x. Ms Ferguson, who won a gold medal for England at a pony jumping competition in Northern Ireland, was found dead on Monday, the day after she complained of tiredness after work. Her father said: "She was happy with what she was doing and she loved going out to work. Laura always had a good word for anybody. We were really close and I cannot understand how this happened now. 'I will miss her like mad': Her father (pictured with Ms Ferguson), who is struggling to comprehend her death, said they had been planning a holiday to Egypt next month Happy and healthy: Ms Ferguson (left and right pictured with mother Anne) had been 'happy with what she was doing and loved going to work,' her father said We were going on holiday to Egypt next month and she was really looking forward to it. She was counting down the days and had bought a load of new clothes. She was kind and loving. I will miss her like mad. The young woman had competed in showjumping at a national level and trained many horses, one going on to be sold for £750,000. Mr Ferguson said: 'When she 14 she represented England at a competition in Ireland and won a gold medal. We went all over the country competing and she would always come back with rosettes, we didn't buy the horses good, she made them good. Devastating news: Facebook tributes poured in for the care support worker, a former student at Ivy Bank High School I am a very proud father. She was very special, her talent never went to her head and she rode for the love of doing it. Anne was very proud of her too. Tributes also poured in on Facebook for the former Ivy Bank High School pupil. Lynda Barlow said: "Devastating news. We are in shock. Spain is such a long way from the family at this awful time. Never to hear Laura's messages - too hard to bear - and hugs when we arrive to visit Burnley. Thoughts go back to Laura at our nursery, and house parties with Laura's pranks as she grew up. Such fond memories. We will miss her so much. Thoughts are with Joe and mum as she takes in the shock of the loss of her granddaughter who she loved so much. Danielle Reekie, who used to ride with Ms Ferguson, said: "Such shocking and sad news, I can't believe it. I remember sharing one of the happiest days of my life with you, when we jumped for England and won the gold all those years ago. You'll be very missed by a lot of people. Can't imagine what your family are going through. The coroner was informed and a post mortem examination has been carried out but found no sign of self-harm or the use of drugs or alcohol. More tests are to be carried out to determine how Ms Ferguson died. If you are suffering from anorexia or another eating disorder and need help, call UK national eating disorder organisations Anorexia & Bulimia Care on 03000 11 12 13 or Beat on 0845 634 1414. Visit b-eat.co.uk for more information 'Such fond memories': Danielle Reekie, who used to ride with Ms Ferguson (pictured), said she shared some of the happiest days of her life when they competed in showjumping together Anorexia can take a huge toll on the body and has the highest death rate of any mental illness. Up to one-fifth of all sufferers eventually die from anorexia. The longer a person suffers the disease, the more likely they are to die from it. Every organ in the body is exposed to damage as a result of the disease. The illness often develops in adolescence, a period of development in a young person when it can have the most serious impact on critical bone mass. As the body loses muscle, the heart muscle also loses mass which affects circulation when exercising. It also reduces blood pressure and the white blood cell count. Heart problems are the most common complications of anorexia. It can stop a woman's menstrual cycle and can also cause long-term damage to fertility. The immune system's resistance is also affected, leaving the patient susceptible to infections.