POLICE have pledged there will be no short-cuts in their quest for answers over the death of a hospital psychiatric patient 26 years ago.

Jonathan Longstaff died in a fire in the P1 psychiatric wing of Darlington Memorial Hospital in August 1975.

It was revealed earlier this month that police were launching an inquiry into his death following an investigation carried out by hospital chiefs in the 1970s.

The new inquiry led by Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson was prompted by relatives.

They are said to be unhappy that the original investigation by the Northern Regional Health Authority left too many loose ends.

Yesterday, Martin Wallwork, a spokesman for County Durham police, said: "There will be no short cuts taken and everybody who is still alive and who may have useful information will be spoken to.

"It is inevitable that there will be some dead ends because of the length of time that has passed. But I must stress that we are doing all we can at the moment to get to the bottom of this."

Mr Longstaff, from Gainford, near Darlington, was one of four psychiatric patients at the hospital who died within a month of each other.

The others were Rosemary Gibson, Patricia Lupton and George Charters.

l Did you work at the hospital or know any of those who died? The Northern Echo is keen to trace anyone who could help shed some light on the deaths. Contact the newsroom on (01325) 505064 or 505068.