THE family of a woman suffering from an agonising bone disease have said they are postponing plans to sue the health trust after it launched an inquiry into the way she was treated.

Lesley Battle's family claimed she was repeatedly told there was nothing physically wrong with her by doctors at Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust despite suffering the painful infection for six months.

The 36-year old Oswaldtwistle catering assistant, who has a history of the disease osteomyelitis, which affects one in five thousand people, was given an emergency operation after her brother Warren Battle carried her into Blackburn Royal Infirmary's accident and emergency department with a swollen leg earlier this month.

At the time, her brother threatened to sue the Trust for failing to notice the infection on scans and X-rays, but has now said he is not going to start legal action until the hospital's own investigation is complete.

Mr Warren, who lives and works in Switzerland, said: "Whilst I feel they are making a genuine effort to look into this, I do not intend to employ a lawyer."

Janice Atkinson, trust business manager, said she was pleased that the family recognised they were taking the matter very seriously.

She said: "The investigation into the complaint received from Warren Battle concerning his sister's treatment is nearing completion and we will be sending a written response in the near future. We hope that the issues raised in Mr Battle's complaint can be resolved."

Mr Battle said his sister had now had three operations at Blackburn Royal Infirmary and appeared to be improving.

He said; "We will need to wait a few more weeks before we know if the infection is under control and how long she will be in a wheelchair."