An inquest is being reopened into the death of a Chester nurse thought to have been killed by the shock of a ringing alarm clock. 

Lisa Jane Browne, 27, who died in 1998, suffered from an undiagnosed heart abnormality which caused her heart to stop beating after the sudden shock of her 6am alarm call. 

Last year, scientists in Sweden discovered the paediatric nurse, who worked at The Countess of Chester Hospital, had the rare disorder Long QT syndrome (LQT2).  The condition affects the electrical system of the heart which can cause sudden death in young people. 

Lisa's mother Doreen Harley, of Connah's Quay in north Wales, suspected her daughter had died of the hereditary disorder and campaigned for the inquest into her death to be reopened and her cause of death changed. 

At the original inquest in August 1998, the coroner recorded an open verdict after finding the cause of death unascertainable. 

Mrs Harley said: "We, the family, are obviously pleased the inquest has been reopened. 

"Hopefully, now many other families can benefit from the knowledge LQT2 can be diagnosed after death and will be given the screenings where appropriate.  That way family members can get the screenings that are so important." 

Lisa's family have been investigating her death for the past eight years.  They have since discovered five of her relatives have the hereditary syndrome. 

The condition can be diagnosed by an ECG and treated using drugs or a pacemaker.  Mrs Harley is campaigning with the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young for all people aged between 14 and 35 to be offered free screening sessions. 

Cheshire coroner Nicholas Rheinberg said it was important to re-open the inquest, which will be heard in Warrington.