A FRESH inquest has opened into the death of an airman killed in a military experiment with deadly nerve agent.

Ronald Maddison, from Consett, was exposed nerve agent Sarin at the Ministry of Defence's Porton Down research facility in Wiltshire in 1953. He was administered 200mg of the chemical, and died within an hour.

He is thought to have been one of many servicemen and women who came forward believing they were volunteering in experiments to find a cure for the common cold, but instead, in some cases, were exposed to CS gas mustard gas and hallucinogens, such as LSD.

An inquest held in secret in 1953 recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.

Last year, following a four-year inquiry by Wiltshire Police into experiments at Porton, it was announced that no charges would be brought against scientists - but Lord Chief Justice Woolf ruled there must be a new inquest.

Last Thursday - 51 years to the day since the airman died, the Wiltshire and Swindon coroner adjourned the inquest for a two-minute silence.

Former veterans of the Porton Down tests and Leading Aircraftman Maddison's sister, Lillias Craik, 70, gathered outside the hearing in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

The inquest heard an expert researching the chemical warfare tests say he found no evidence linking the experiments with research into a cure for the common cold.

During questioning from Wiltshire coroner David Masters, historian John Harding, who recently retired as a Ministry of Defence civil servant, told the court that in an extensive search of Government archives for documents linking Porton Down with a volunteer programme to research a cure for the common cold, he found nothing in that category.

Military documents were revealed, stating LAC Maddison's father agreed to protect national security by telling family members his son had died from 'an unfortunate accident while on duty.'

But a letter to military bosses from Mr Maddison Snr showed he rejected an offer of £3 towards funeral expenses, saying: "I would like to know a bit more about my son's death as I am not satisfied with what I have been told."

Evidence was also submitted from the Porton Down scientists, insisting the volunteers had been told of the trial's nature and risks. And it was revealed that the original inquest was held in secret because it was deemed a matter of national security.

The inquest was adjourned until Monday.