TWO distraught parents who lost their children in a tragic accident have finally been told they can bury their loved ones - seven months after they died.

Simon Ashman, 20, was killed along with 16-year-old friend Chantelle Petterson when the van they were travelling in hit a wall outside Haslingden Sports Centre, Helmshore Road, in February.

But the bodies have only just been released following a long police investigation. Both Neil Ashman, Simon's dad, and Mandy Thomas, Chantelle's mum, say they have been unable to grieve for their dead children.

Police today said the delay had been unusually long but had been due to the thorough investigation, and giving the man now charged with causing the crash the chance to ask for a second post-mortem examination.

Neil, 50, a semi-professional DJ, of Chester Crescent, Haslingden, said: "It's been seven months since the accident and it's disgusting that it has taken this long for the bodies to be released. I haven't been able to work and I've had to have psychiatric treatment. Now we have got to bury them and go through the whole thing again."

Mandy added: "I just want this year to be over. Because of the delay we haven't been able to get any closure and start to try and move on. We've been half expecting both of them to walk back through the door, but now we will have to say goodbye."

Simon, a former pupil of Broadway Primary and Castlebrook and Irlam high schools, and a passionate Liverpool supporter, will be buried in a replica shirt signed by Michael Owen at a service at Holcombe Parish Church at 11am on Thursday, September 2.

A committal will take place at Ramsbottom Cemetery before a wake in the Hare and Hounds at Holcombe Brook. Simon leaves father Neil, mum Lynn, brother Neil and sister Amy.

Chantelle, who would have been getting her GCSE results at Haslingden High tomorrow, will have her funeral at St James, Haslingden on September 16 at noon. She leaves mum Mandy, dad Mark and partner Elaine, brother Nathan and sister Jessica as well as step-dad Alan.

A stone memorial to the pair will also be put up at Haslingden Sports Centre, the scene of the crash.

David Cummins, 22, of Lime Road, Haslingden has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving. He will appear at Burnley Crown Court on August 31.