A MOTHER of two has had confirmation that skin from her stillborn son was used for tests without her consent.

Zoe Matthews' son, Owen Robson, was stillborn a Darlington Memorial Hospital in September 1996.

After news of the Alder Hey body parts scandal, Mrs Matthews, of Deepdale Way, Red Hall, Darlington, contacted a special helpline set up by the hospital for concerned relatives.

Mrs Matthews has now received a letter from Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust which confirms that samples of Owen's skin were used in laboratory tests. The hospital was unable to confirm at this stage whether Owen's organs were used.

Mrs Matthews, 26, who has since married and has two daughters, Lucy, five and Katelyne, three, said: "It is disgusting. It is like losing your son all over again. This is bringing everything back."

The letter also contained a booklet about how skin samples were taken which Mrs Matthews said was totally insensitive.

"I certainly don't want to know how samples are taken. I just want back what belongs to Owen. They can't even tell me about the organs, its just terrible," said Mrs Matthews.

She and her husband Mark continue to wait for further news. They are determined to make sure other people are treated fairly and justice is done.

"We want to know what has happened to these skin samples, what right do they have, it is just tearing me apart and with us every minute of the day," said Mrs Matthews, who is forced to take sleeping tablets just to get a couple of hours sleep each night.

Laura Robson, director of Nursing for South Durham Healthcare NHS Trust said: "We are not able to comment on individual cases but we are happy to talk to people when inquiries are made. We have spoken to this lady and will be in further correspondence until the family are happy."

Mrs Robson said the trust had followed the guidelines set out by the Government's Retained Organs Commission and this set the agenda for dealing with inquiries made by people including letters and information posted out.

Updated : 16:00, Friday 6th July