BEREAVED families in the North-East will receive more emotional and practical support at inquests, justice minister Simon Hughes has announced.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) will be given £110,000 to expand services to coroners’ courts in the region.

The funding will help provide vulnerable witnesses and bereaved families with emotional and practical support when attending coroner inquests.

Volunteers working for the CCSS spend time with witnesses and the bereaved on the day - explaining the arrangements, answering questions and providing assurance at a time of need.

The following coroners' courts will benefit from a share of the funding:

• Darlington and South Durham;

• North Durham;

• Hartlepool;

• Teesside;

• Northumberland;

• Gateshead and South Tyneside;

• Newcastle;

• North Tyneside;

• Sunderland.

Mr Hughes said: "I want people to know that coroners’ courts need not be scary places, and they can be open and welcoming.

"That is why we are making absolutely sure that the needs of bereaved families are put first and foremost.

"The expansion of the excellent CCSS is vital in supporting bereaved families and witnesses when they attend a coroner's inquest.

"Last year we introduced changes to the law so people can be given assurance that inquests are now being conducted quickly and consistently.

"These new services will make sure bereaved people get the support they need. "

The funding will provide the employment of an additional trainer who will provide much-needed training for volunteers in the extra courts.

This will make sure that there are properly and carefully trained volunteers who can be brought in to the process.

The Ministry of Justice has now committed to provide £150,000 to allow for a further 16 support services over the next three years, assisting the bereaved through the inquest process.

By the close of this financial year, eight more support services are expected to be set up.

CCSS is a registered charity whose volunteers give emotional and practical support to families and other witnesses attending inquests.

Inquests are held to determine the facts in cases where a person has died in sudden or unexplained circumstances.