A MOTHER today spoke of her disgust after the criminal investigation into the death of her young son was shelved.

But Keira McGeough said the decision by prosecution lawyers would allow her to finally get some answers about the final hours of Jake, who died aged 18 months in July 2001.

The Crown Prosecution Service said that there was "insufficient evidence" to pursue criminal proceedings against two nurses from Alder Hay hospital, who were suspended following Jake's death.

Now Liverpool coroner Andre Rebello has given the go-ahead for a two-week long inquest to take place in October -- after it was opened and adjourned twelve times during the police investigation.

Keira, 26, of Leicester Road, Blackburn, said the family was relieved that they could finally get some answers about little Jake's death.

The inquest may lead to criminal proceedings being reconsidered.

But Keira said: "It is disgusting that no one has been prosecuted in the criminal courts but I can't do anything. There is nothing else we can do but hope that we all learn more at the inquest.

"Nobody seems to have been telling us anything for ages as it has just dragged on and on. It has been awful but we may finally have some of our questions answered."

Jake was taken to Queen's Park Hospital in July 2001 with a suspected chest infection. He was transferred to Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital but died three days later, sparking an investigation involving Merseyside Police and hospital bosses, after which two staff were suspended.

The hospital admitted in November 2001 that negligent staff had "caused or contributed" to Jake's death when they administered the muscle-relaxing drug Vecuronium.

The case documentation was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service senior office in York more than a year ago.

But the criminal case has been closed after lawyers concluded there was insufficient evidence for a conviction.

A spokesman for the CPS said: "We have conducted a thorough investigation into the death of baby Jake and found that there is insufficient evidence for a criminal conviction. It has been referred to the coroner for the inquest to go ahead.

"Investigating a death in a medical environment is very difficult.

"However, the inquest will be the first time that live evidence has been presented and could lead to further criminal investigations."

Mr Rebello previously delayed the inquest to avoid obstructing the criminal case.

Today he said: "I heard from the coroner's office yesterday to hear the number of witnesses that will be presented and have listed the hearing to take at least two weeks.

"I will be sitting with a jury and anticipate a complex case."

But for Keira and her partner Wayne Knight, 32, who were both devastated by the death of their youngest child, it will be a long wait until October.

The couple also revealed they are no longer pursuing legal action against the Royal Liverpool Children's Trust.

Keira, 26, said: "If we still have to wait until October, that will be more than two years of agonising waiting. It will be a very long summer.

"I am angry that it has all been taking so long. It has been very hard for everyone."

She said the loss had especially taken its toll on the rest of the family, namely her three other young children Nicole, nine, Wayne, seven, and Danielle, six.

She said: "They have chosen a star to remember Jake by but some days we can all miss him terribly and feel horribly low.

"We are just continuing to make small steps to rebuild our lives."

An internal investigation at the hospital was carried out earlier this year into the conduct of the two nurses but the findings are yet to be made public.

A spokesman for Alder Hey Hospital, the Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust, said today: "We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and will of course co-operate fully with the coroner's process.

"We would not want to jeopardise the inquest proceedings so can not at this time comment any further."