THE mother of a North-East holidaymaker who died in a Greek hospital after he fell from a hotel balcony said last night that she is dreading facing five medics blamed for his death.

Christopher Rochester died in a hospital in Rhodes after he fell 30ft from a hotel balcony in June, 2000.

The 24-year-old, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, bled to death in the local hospital and his family said it was because of poor treatment from a medical team.

After a lengthy campaign by his family, five hospital staff were charged with manslaughter by negligence and are to stand trial in Rhodes Town Court later today.

Under Greek law, Christopher's mother, Pam Cummings, is allowed to address the court ahead of the evidence.

Speaking from a hotel in Rhodes with her husband, son, Keith, and other family members, she said she was dreading facing the three doctors and two nurses across the courtroom.

Today's hearing will be the family's third trip to the island after the case was adjourned twice, but they are hopeful it will go ahead.

Mrs Cummings said: ''I am terrified about it all. It is not just the standing up in court, it is just that it brings everything back for me.

''I hate the idea that the five hospital staff will be sitting just yards from me, and fear being so intimidated."

Her husband, George, Christopher's stepfather, said: ''If we win, then hopefully this will never happen again to a holidaymaker or even a local person."