A WOMAN at the centre of a hospital CJD scare has died just days after her husband.

Mary Russell, 66, of New Marske, was described as being very fit before contracting sporadic CJD in late 2001.

Her family, who believe Mary's husband, Ronald, died of a broken heart after watching his wife's rapid deterioration, has criticised coroner Michael Sheffield for ordering a post-mortem examination.

There was a scandal last July when it emerged that instruments used during a brain biopsy operation on Mrs Russell were later used on 24 other patients. An investigation found no-one at Middlesbrough General Hospital was at fault.

Mrs Russell, who had three daughters, died at Moorlands Nursing Home in Guisborough, just eight days after her husband, who was 69, died of a stroke.

Mrs Russell's daughter and son-in-law, Dawn and Graham Naughton, are angry that the coroner ordered an inquest, which opened last week. They believe a post-mortem, which they believe took place last Thursday, was unnecessary.

Mr Naughton said: "There is no need for them to suffer this further pain. There is no doubt about what killed Mary. It has been diagnosed many times as sporadic CJD."

Mr Sheffield is unable to comment on individual cases.