A CORONER has said he is doing all he can to end a couple's nightmare delay over the inquest into the death of their young son.

Mother Donna Hanson was questioned by police after her four-month-old son Toby Woods died in September, 1999.

He died less than a year after his brother, Ashley, who was 10-months-old, but police have said there is no evidence for a prosecution.

A verdict of natural causes was recorded at the inquest into Ashley's death, but the inquest into Toby's death has been repeatedly adjourned as paediatric pathologists and other experts complete reports into the cause of the toddler's death.

At a resumed hearing yesterday, the coroner for Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, Michael Singleton, was told it could be well into the New Year before a full inquest could be held.

Miss Hanson, who has had to endure the delay with Toby's father Robert Woods at their home in Pendle Street, Accrington has repeatedly urged medical bosses to end her heartache.

At yesterday's hearing at Blackburn Town Hall, Mr Singleton said he was doing everything in his power to bring the matter to a close.

He said: "I am trying to get a balance between concluding matters as expeditiously as possible while at the same time ensuring sufficiency of enquiry by having all the available information before me at a full hearing."

He added that he hoped a date could be set for the full inquest sometime in the next two months, but that it was unlikely to be before the New Year. Police launched an initial investigation into Toby and Ashley's deaths but decided not to press charges.

Det Insp Bob Eastwood, who led the enquiry, said the case had been very distressing for all concerned and there was no evidence to proceed with a prosecution.

The coroner relisted the matter for a new hearing on October 25 at Blackburn Town Hall.