POWER plant giant Enron has been given back control of its plant after the explosion last week that killed three men.

The Health and Safety Executive has handed back the plant, although the site of the explosion remains cordoned off.

A company spokesman said some workers were returning to the site to help with damage assessment and repairs.

He added that no decisions had been taken on when power generation would begin again.

The spokesman said: "The priority of the company this week remains with the families and friends involved."

An inquest into the deaths opened on Tuesday.

Dentist Kathryn Quinton told the hearing in Middlesbrough that she recognised dental work she had carried out on Darren Higgins, 28, of Normanby, and Andrew Sherwood, 36, from Hartlepool.

Teesside coroner Michael Sheffield said: "They could not otherwise be identified by normal means."

Maintenance manager Lawrence Surtees, from Hawthorne, County Durham, died hours later in hospital.

The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

The funerals of the three men were held this week.

A fourth man was injured in the explosion. Graeme White, 37, from Billingham, is being treated for burns.