LEIGH'S coroner Martin Coppel has been forced to retire on health grounds.

The district has not had a senior coroner for about three months since Mr Coppel -- whose role is to oversee inquests into sudden deaths -- went on sick leave.

But officials are adamant that his absence is neither creating a backlog nor forcing families further afield to attend hearings about loved ones.

Deputy coroner Simon Nelson has been presiding at most inquests instead, and assistant deputy coroners from nearby towns are also filling in.

Peter Wilson, director of central services at Bolton, which is responsible for appointing a coroner, confirmed Mr Coppel's retirement and said arrangements to appoint a new coroner were being made.

Mr Coppel, 60, from Belfast, has been Leigh's coroner for seven years. His role also involves conducting inquests in Bolton, Wigan and Salford. He previously spent two years as an assistant coroner in Manchester.

The law requires that coroners must have served at least five years as either a barrister, solicitor or doctor.

Mr Coppel originally trained as a solicitor and worked successfully for practices in Belfast, Manchester and Sale for 30 years.