A CORONER at the centre of an inquiry into inquest delays is to speak to a family concerned about the completion of an inquest into the death of a 14-year-old boy.

The boy's mother, Pauline Hartley, said she wanted answers concerning the sudden death of her son, Andrew, at the family's home in Billingham, Teesside, in September 2002.

Mrs Hartley said the delay in getting a full inquest heard was prolonging her suffering.

She said: "I need answers so we can take measures to stop anything happening to my family and my future family."

Mrs Hartley's complaints follow an order by the Lord Chancellor for an inquiry into the backlog of inquests on Teesside.

The delays have been blamed on a shortage of qualified coroners' officers and a national shortage of pathologists.

Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield said he would speak to the Hartley family.

His solicitor, Anthony Eastwood, said: "Mr Sheffield will be contacting a representative of the family concerned, privately, to reassure them and explain the nature of the evidence that will be called before the inquest.

"A further communication from the pathologist in the case is expected very soon to enable the case to be set down in a few weeks depending upon availability of witnesses.''

Just over 3.5 per cent of Mr Sheffield's caseload is more than six months old.

Mr Eastwood said: "Whilst there are about 220 outstanding cases at present, it must be noted that these include inquests opened within the last six months. By far the majority of these outstanding cases are less than six months old.''