FRIENDS and relatives faced with having to attend an inquest into the death of a loved one can now receive support from caring volunteers.

The Coroners’ Court Support Service (CCSS) has recently begun placing members at Avon Coroners Court in Flax Bourton.

CCSS was formed in 2003 by Roey Burden and two friends when she discovered through a family tragedy that there was no support available for families attending inquests. The charity has since developed a network of 135 volunteers based at 24 coroner’s courts in England.

North Somerset MP Dr Liam Fox recently met some of those offering such support during a visit to the Flax Bourton court where he officially launched the service.

He said: “I am so impressed by the dedication of this small team and the volunteers who do so much to help families and witnesses to cope with the process.”