A North-East father who lost a son to a rare heart condition has welcomed changes to the law which should ease the suffering of grieving parents. 

Jeff Morland, 55, from West Rainton, near Durham City, got involved in campaigning for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) after the death of one of his twin sons, Levon. 

Levon died suddenly from a little-known heart condition called Wolfe Parkinson White Syndrome at the age of 22. 

After discovering that up to eight young people fall victim to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) every week in the UK, from 11 different cardiac conditions, Mr Morland, his family and friends have supported the objectives of CRY, which include more screening of young people for rare heart conditions. 

The announcement of reforms to the Coroners and Justice Bill, which will include important changes to ways in which people suffering from bereavement and facing complex and distressing inquests arte treated, is an important step forward, according to Mr Morland. 

The new bill will mean that families affected by conditions such as sudden cardiac death will now have access to a more regulated service with rights to information and proper investigation of the cause of death. 

The reforms will also include scope for the bereaved to be heard. 

Mr Morland said: 'The inquest process was straightforward for us, but I know there are a lot of other families who have been left with a huge question mark over what killed their loved ones.

"Up until now, once coroners have found there are no suspicious circumstances they don't need to go any further. 

"They can put it down to natural causes." 

The changes should mean that families will be able to find out exactly what loved ones died of. 

"It should also show up the true extent of the problem of sudden adult death syndrome," said Mr Morland, who also paid tribute to the efforts of North Durham MP Kevan Jones in recent years. 

"It was through Levon's death that Kevan established the CRY All Party Group of 112 MP's," he added. 

Alison Cox, chief executive of CRY, said: "This means that people will have access to a coroners service that will keep them fully informed and consider their needs at this most grievous time."