SINCE discovering that tissue samples were taken from her stillborn baby without her knowledge or permission, Zoe Holman has plunged into a world of despair.

She feels guilt over her inability to protect baby Owen eight years ago, which manifests itself in anger.

Her husband, Mark, did not know what to do.

"I would not let him get close to me because I was so hurt and angry. Not even my mother could get close," said Ms Holman.

"I was snapping at everyone and starting arguments with them. It really took a toll on our marriage and we broke up. We were under so much pressure. It was all I could think about."

She waited months to find out whether body parts had been taken from Owen in the wake of the Alder Hey organs scandal.

When South Durham NHS Trust confirmed that tissue samples were taken, she was consumed with anger and guilt.

"I wanted to confront the person who had done it and ask them why and how dare they do that to my boy," she said.

"They took my grief away and made me so bitter and angry. I could not even cry at his second funeral, because I'm so angry. It has destroyed me and my family."

Similar feelings to Ms Holman's have been experienced by hundreds of families since the scandal was revealed.

There was a public outcry in Bristol and Liverpool after it was discovered that children's organs and tissues had been kept after post-mortem examinations without the parents' knowledge or consent.

To establish the scale of stores of retained organs, a national census of all NHS pathology services was published in 2000.

About 105,000 organs, body parts, stillbirths and foetuses were reported as being held in pathology departments and medical schools across England.

While many of the organs were removed with consent, hospitals have admitted that families were not given enough information.

NHS trusts set up hotlines a year ago, with more than 1,800 calls received by trusts in the North-East from people wanting details on retained organs.

A report by the chief medical officer said: "When the fact of the retention of children's hearts, brains and other organs came to light, there was outrage, grief and distress, which has continued unabated over a two-year period."

Inquiries have shown weaknesses in the way in which consent was gained to retain body parts following post-mortem examinations.

There are two types of post-mortem examination, including by a coroner, which is carried out for medical and legal reasons to establish the cause of death and does not require parental consent.

A hospital examination is carried out at the request of a clinician, to establish more detail and gain clarification on any issues surrounding the death.

It appears it was common practice to retain organs without express parental knowledge and agreement.

Since the scandal was uncovered, the processes used in retaining organs have been overhauled, so families must now give fully-informed consent before any organs are taken.

Ms Holman is receiving counselling and is on anti-depressants in a bid to cope with the distress she says she has suffered.

She is among about 20 families in the North-East intending to take legal action against health trusts for the distress caused.

In an attempt to help other families in a similar position, Ms Holman is hoping to set up a support group for the region.

Anyone wishing to contact her is asked to call The Northern Echo, on (01325) 505072