The inquests on two men allegedly murdered by their family doctor were opened and adjourned today.

Dr Howard Martin, 70, is awaiting trial accused of killing Frank Moss, 59, Stanley Weldon, 74, and Harry Gittins, also 74.

Today, inquests into the deaths of Mr Moss, of New Row, Eldon, and Mr Weldon, Kimberley Street, Coundon Grange, both near Bishop Auckland, lasted just four minutes before being adjourned.

Co Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle also opened and adjourned the case of 84-year-old William Kerr, of Derwent Place, Newton Aycliffe.

Mr Moss, Mr Weldon and Mr Kerr - patients of Dr Martin - died within 10 days of each other at their respective homes in March 2003. The GP has not been accused of any offence in relation to the death of Mr Kerr.

Martin, of Beach Road, Penmaenmawr, Gwynedd, North Wales, has been remanded on conditional bail to await trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of murdering the three men.

Police exhumed the three bodies in January this year after the family GP was charged with the murder of cancer sufferer Mr Gittins.

The pensioner, from Newton Aycliffe, died in January 2004 six days after undergoing surgery to his oesophagus.

Mr Tweddle said he had received letters about each death from the Medical Defence Union, which is representing Mr Martin.

The bodies of the three men will now be reinterred.