A mum who campaigned for changes to the country's inquest system said a Government's decision to retain a chief coroner is a 'step in the right direction'. 

Sue Ainsworth, from Stockton, said she was thrilled that the Government has made a U-turn on its plans to abolish the post. 

Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has given the chief coroner the full range of powers to drive up standards. 

Mrs Ainsworth was left with unanswered questions after Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield's investigation into her son Jonathan Morgan's death. 

The family believes the 21-year-old succumbed to a heart condition, but is now struggling to work out if his sister Rhiannon could be affected too because Jonathan's heart was not sent away for analysis. 

Mrs Ainsworth then became the face of a campaign by charity Cardiac Risk in the Young concerning the varying levels of service offered to families across the country. 

Mrs Ainsworth, 52, who had to wait eight months to hear her son's inquest, said: "I am really pleased with the Government's U-turn. 

"They have had to cave in as there was just so much opposition - especially from the Royal British Legion. 

"It really will make a difference in Teesside.  Now there will be guidelines for coroners and it will mean that they will all have to sing from the same hymn sheet. 

"This is a step in the right direction." 

Teesside's Coroner's Service is being investigation by the Office for Judicial Complaints.  If follows complaints about the length of time taken to conclude inquests.