THE families of two women who died when an inflatable artwork became airborne said they hoped lessons would be learnt to prevent such a tragedy happening again.

Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle yesterday directed the jury to return verdicts of accidental death for Elizabeth Anne Collings and Claire Furmedge.

The women died when the Dreamspace sculpture slipped its moorings and became airborne in Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street, in July 2006.

Mr Tweddle said that he would be writing to the authorities to see what lessons had been learnt.

Mrs Collings, a 68-year-old grandmother from Seaham, and mother-of-two Claire Furmedge, 38, a radiographer from Chester-le-Street, died in the accident, which also left 27 people injured, including Langley Park toddler Rosie Wright.

Speaking after the inquest, Mrs Collings’ daughter, Susan Campbell, said in a joint statement for both families: “We are relieved that nearly four years since the deaths of our loved ones, the inquest process has provided us with the answers we have long awaited.

“The inquest has demonstrated clear failures on the part of Maurice Agis, Chester-le-Street District Council and Brouhaha International.”

She added: “Our hope is that the lessons learnt will prevent such a tragedy ever happening again.”

The accident happened when Dreamspace V, the multi-coloured PVC sculpture created by London-based artist Maurice Agis, was caught by a gust of wind.

Mr Agis was cleared of manslaughter after a monthlong trial at Newcastle Crown Court. However he was convicted of failing to ensure the safety of the public and fined £10,000 – later reduced to £2,500 by the Court of Appeal.

He died in October, aged 77.

The now defunct Chesterle- Street District Council was fined £20,000 after admitting failing to ensure public safety and Liverpool arts promotion charity Brouhaha International was fined £4,000 after admitting failing to ensure the safety of its workers.

The six-day inquest at Chester-le-Street Magistrates Court heard Mr Agis’ own risk assessment said 40 sets of pegs and ropes should be used, but police found evidence of only 22.

Health and Safety Executive engineering expert Anthony Hoyland said yesterday that 108 pegs would be needed to make Dreamspace safe in winds of up to 25mph.

Mr Tweddle told the jury: “As a matter of law, there is only one verdict you can come to, accidental death.’’ He said he planned to ask Durham County Council, successor to Chester-le-Street District Council, and Brouhaha International what changes they had made to their operations since the accident.

After the hearing, Terry Collins, Director of Neighbourhood Services for Durham County Council, said: “We recognise this is a very difficult time and our thoughts are with the many people affected by this tragedy.”

He added: “As it is vitally important that such incidents are prevented in future, the council has carried out a thorough review of its arrangements for events run on council-owned land, ensuring a consistent approach to managing event safety across the county.”