THE family of a Consett airman who died during secret Government chemical experiments have welcomed the re-opening of his inquest after nearly 50 years.

The move comes after years of campaigning by servicemen who claim they were duped into believing highly dangerous chemical tests at Porton Down were in fact part of experiments into curing the common cold.

The Attorney General has given permission for the case of 20-year-old Ronald Maddison to be reviewed after he was allegedly exposed to 200mg dose of Sarin nerve gas in May 1953. The original inquest was held in secret.

Mrs Craik, who now lives in Nottinghamshire, said the move was a step towards the truth.

On Tuesday she said: "I had my first great grandchild yesterday, which is the latest lovely thing that has happened in my long life. All that was denied to Ron. We are delighted this has happened and, you never know, we might finally get the truth but I have to say this has taken a long, long time and you wonder whether we'll ever get there."

Wiltshire Police have launched an investigation into the claims that hundreds of other individuals were exposed to toxic nerve gases and diseases including plague.

Detectives have also been examining evidence from servicemen and women who say they took part in experiments with substances including LSD.

A number of files have been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Campaigner Gordon Bell said: "The police have indicated that there were a high number of deaths evident when they began their inquiries. When you think about what they were doing to people - these nerve gas tests - it's only to be expected."

Mr Bell said campaigners were in the process of legal action to overturn a bar on survivors of the tests suing the Ministry of Defence. Many of the former servicemen are hoping the verdict of the new inquest will be unlawful killing.