FRIENDS and relatives vowed last night never to give up the fight for a North-East airman - 50 years after he died when a lethal nerve agent was tested on him.

The anniversary comes as Wiltshire Police revealed they are arranging a review to prepare for a fresh inquest ordered by the High Court.

Ronald Maddison, 20, of Consett, County Durham, collapsed with asphyxia after a 200mg dose of Sarin was dripped on a patch taped to his left arm at the Porton Down research centre, near Salisbury, on May 6, 1953.

He believed he was taking part in experiments to find a cure for the common cold.

The Maddison family have fought to unravel the truth ever since a 1953 inquest recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.

His sister, Lillias Craik, said: "We have been quietly remembering Ronald.

"We really hope it will all be finally laid to rest with the new inquest."

Cousin Ella Forster, of nearby Shotley Bridge, said: "It is such a pity the inquest did not come in the lifetime of Ronald's parents or grandparents, who were absolutely devastated when it happened.

"They never knew why he had died."

Mike Cox, 72, of Portsmouth, who sat next to Mr Maddison in the gas chamber on the fateful day, said: "My thoughts go to Ronald's family and the shocking way they have been treated by the MoD (Ministry of Defence) all these years.

"They have been left in limbo. The family did not know what had happened - and even to this day they haven't been officially told.

"His father had to sign the Official Secrets Act when he went to the inquest and never revealed to anyone what he had been told."

Mr Cox recalled Mr Maddison slumping over, but he was never told he had died or that there had been an inquest. It was only years later he discovered the truth.

Mr Cox said: "I'm still alive. I have four children and eight grandchildren. But for Ronald, that day was the end of his story. All that disappeared in the few seconds that it took to put the drops on his arm.

"Perhaps justice will be yet be done."