BLOOD tests following the death of a man at Hereford County Hospital last year revealed an unexplained level of insulin, an inquest in Hereford heard today.

The longtime manager of Ross-on-Wye swimming pool, Leslie James, who died on September 30, was not a diabetic.

And the insulin discovered in his blood samples following his cremation, had not been present on the ward for any other patients, Helen Mulholland, representing the family, told the hearing.

His son, Roger, said: "We have many unanswered questions about what led to his death and we hope the inquest will help answer some of those questions."

A police investigation was undertaken following the death of Mr James - who lived in Gloucestershire - and the matter was subsequently referred to the coroner,.

However this morning the inquest was adjourned for all sides to review the police file.

Ms Mulholland said: “We need to know whether this was one whacking dose of insulin or a series of doses over time.”

She added that there remained the potential for verdicts of neglect, and of unlawful killing.

Coroner Mark Bricknell said: “I would be particularly interested in establishing the timescale from September 27, and also what the timespan was of the insulin in the body.”

Expert witnesses will now be called to help ascertain those facts, however Mr Bricknell added the inquiry would not seek to replace the police investigation already carried out.