THE family of a young mother who died in mysterious circumstances following a routine operation has been given £200,000 compensation.

Mother-of-two Nicola Pinnegar was 20 when she died after surgery last June.

The asthmatic woman had a simple operation to have gallstones removed, but collapsed hours later and died the following week.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust did not accept liability for the death of Miss Pinegar, from Thornaby, near Stockton.

But it agreed to pay £200,000 to her mother, Christine, who is looking after her two grandchildren.

Yesterday, Mrs Pinegar said she still wanted a full explanation about how her daughter, who had a history of epilepsy and asthma, died.

The trust paid out the cash just days before a planned negligence hearing in front of a judge.

Dr David Scoones, a pathologist, told an inquest into Miss Pinegar's death that she died of brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

However, he said that evidence that an attack or fit led to her death was inconclusive.

Coronor Michael Sheffield recorded an open verdict and said it was a mystery what had caused the brain damage.

A spokesperson for the trust said: "We wish to express our sincere regret in relation to the circumstances surrounding Nicola Pinnegar's death at North Tees General Hospital, in Stockton.

"And we would like to say how very sorry we are to Nicola's family, especially the chidrden, for the stress and pain that has been caused.

"While there was no admisson of liabillity, we are pleased that an out-of-court settlement has been reached and hope this will go some way towards helping Nicola's family to come to terms with their tragic loss.

"We are doing what we can to address Mrs Pinnegar's outstanding queries. The issues are, however, complicated and Mrs Pinnegar's concerns would probably be best addressed by a meeting with us."

Mrs Pinnegar's solicitor, John Hall, said he hoped the trust would now improve monitoring of respiratory patients.

Nicola died in June 1998 and leaves Leon, ten, and eight-year-old Leah-Marie.