No public inquests have taken place on the Isle of Wight in 2024, so far.

The long wait being endured by bereaved Island families has long been documented, most recently in January when it was revealed the Island has one of the highest average times to process an inquest.

Since then, no public inquests have taken place. Inquests are held in open court and can be attended by the media and the public.

Section 9C inquests, which can be concluded in writing, have however been taking place.

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

A Coroner will undertake an inquest if the cause of death is unknown or if the person possibly died a violent or unnatural death, or died in custody.

Families on the Island are waiting, on average, 63 weeks for an inquest - more than double the average across England and Wales, according to the figures released in January which relate to the year 2022.

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.

The coroner's office has recently been advertising to recruit more officers.

Coroner, Caroline Sumeray, previously said: "The new facilities at Seaclose will allow the coroners service to have readily available access to a court, which will facilitate the hearing of cases more efficiently, helping to minimise any stress or uncertainty which can come with waiting for an inquest and ensuring that families of the bereaved have their inquests at the earliest opportunity."

Has your family had a long wait for an inquest? Email us on editor@iwcp.co.uk