Bereaved Isle of Wight residents have been telling the County Press about the long waits they have endured, for inquests into the death of their loved ones.

As previously reported, the average wait for an inquest on the Isle of Wight is 63 weeks which is double the national average.

And so far this year, no public inquests have taken place.

We asked readers to tell us about their experiences.

One said: "You mentioned that 63 weeks was an average wait for an inquest. My friend has been waiting 210 weeks and still no sign of one."

Another reader thinks they may be waiting for one of the oldest cases, since a death of a loved one in May 2020.

They said: "We have heard nothing from the coroners office in a long while except to say we are on a waiting list."  

Another reader said: "I've been stuck in limbo for 20 months with no end in sight."

She said she had received very little help or explanations about who she could contact, and said she "feels let down by every service involved".

The County Press asked the coroner's office for a comment about the lack of public inquests this year, but none has been provided.

In March, it was announced that a new coroner's court would be created on the Island. Usually, the coroner uses the courts on Quay Street, Newport, to hold inquests.

The council said the inability to use the Isle of Wight Crown Court — the only courtroom on the Island with dedicated jury facilities, since the summer of 2022 — is partly to blame for the delays.

The Isle of Wight Council has set aside more than £80,000 to redevelop the first floor of its offices at Seaclose, Newport.

It is hoped the first inquests will be held at Seaclose by September 2024.

Coroner, Caroline Sumeray, previously said the new facilities will allow the service to have readily available access to a court, which will facilitate the hearing of cases more efficiently.