ABOUT 20 bereaved North-East families who discovered organs and tissue samples were removed from their dead children are preparing for legal action.

Relatives were kept in ignorance about the removal of body parts until an information ban on NHS trusts was lifted in the wake of the Alder Hey inquiry into organ retention.

Zoe Holman, from Darlington, contacted South Durham NHS Trust hotline a year ago to find out if any of her stillborn baby's organs were removed.

She was told three months ago that skin samples from her son's legs and arms were removed for medical research without her knowledge or consent.

Hartlepool solicitors Tilley, Bailey and Irvine are taking up Ms Holman's case, along with the other families in the region.

They are registered as part of the National Organ Group, made up of families affected by the scandal.

At present the group is waiting for the outcome of civil action being taken by more than 800 families involved in the retained organs scandal at Alder Hey Hospital Children's Hospital, in Liverpool. It is not expected to start until October at the earliest.

A census carried out by the Chief Medical Officer in 2000 found there were 105,000 organs and tissue samples in hospitals nationwide.

Ms Holman gave birth to her stillborn son, Owen Robson, on September 21, 1994. The samples were removed the same day.

After discovering what happened, Ms Holman wanted the skin slides returned. At first the trust said it could not guarantee the samples were Owen's, but eventually the correct slides were found.

She went ahead with a funeral at Darlington Crematorium a fortnight ago, scattering the ashes in the same memorial garden where Owen's ashes were scattered eight years ago.

Ms Holman said that the trauma had contributed to the breakdown of her marriage and claims throughout the ordeal she was not offered counselling.

Determined to take legal action against the trust, the mother-of-two said: "It's got nothing to do with money any compensation I get will go to Cancer Research it's about right and wrong.

"There will still be people who don't know that there are parts of their loved-ones stuck in hospitals, and it's wrong."

Ian Cohen, of Goodman's solicitors, which is acting on behalf of the Liverpool families, said if their case was successful it was hoped the Department of Health would set up a scheme for other families to claim compensation.

A spokesman for South Durham NHS Trust said: "We are extremely sorry for the distress caused to Ms Holman, and we understand how upsetting this must be for her.

"We were following strict national guidance on this and have had regular contact with families. The time delays were caused by the fact we wanted to make sure we provided accurate and complete information.

"We did offer counselling to everyone who contacted the hotline, and if Ms Holman wants to talk to us again, we would encourage her to get back in touch."