DIPLOMATIC pressure is mounting on the Greek government amidst fears that a kidney of a North-East man who died on holiday was sold on the organ blackmarket.

The parents of Chris Rochester, 24, who died after falling from an apartment balcony on the holiday island of in Rhodes, want the Greek authorities to explain why their son's left kidney was missing when his body was returned in June last year.

And when a kidney was returned, DNA tests established it was not his.

Mr Rochester's mother, Pam Cummings and step-father George Cummings spoke after meeting with North Durham MP Kevan Jones and North-East MEP Stephen Hughes, who is now seeking an urgent meeting with Greek ministers of health and justice.

The latest move comes a month after North Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle ruled Mr Rochester had died an accidental death, contributed to by neglect.

Mr Tweddle raised his "great concern about the standards of medical care" in Rhodes.

Mr Cummings of Chester-le-Street said last night: "Despite every effort we have made so far we have still had no answers.

"We want justice for Christopher and will not rest until we have his kidney and DNA tests prove it belongs to him."

Mr Cummings said there were a number of possible explanations for the loss of the kidney - it may have been genuinely mislaid or deliberately lost, because it could shed light on Mr Rochester's death.

He added: "Thirdly, until we have Chris' kidney there is the possibility that it was taken illegally for transplantation.

"Then of course there is the question of exactly whose kidney they sent us and is being kept in Dryburn hospital.

Meanwhile, Mr Jones said he was going to try and get a Parliamentary debate on the case, as well as the wider issues about Greek health standards.

He said: "There is also the role of tour operators which needs to be examined.

"They are clearly making a lot of money and there should be some onus on them to ensure hospitals offer a comparable standard of health care."