An inquest is to be held today into the deaths of two women who died from the same infection shortly after giving birth on the same day.

Teachers Amy Kimmance, 39, and Jasmine Pickett, 29, both gave birth at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester on December 21, 2007.

But after they were both discharged, Mrs Kimmance, who gave birth to a girl, died on December 23 and Mrs Pickett, who gave birth to a boy, died on December 24.

Mrs Kimmance developed fatal toxic shock syndrome as a result of a Group A streptococcal infection while Mrs Pickett died from a sudden onset of severe pneumonia, likely to have been caused by a Group A streptococcal infection.

A spokeswoman for Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust said at the time that their deaths appeared to have been coincidental and unconnected to the hospital.

She explained that the infection was typically community-based and is normally carried by between five and 30% of the general population although they are not infected by it.

Mrs Kimmance's husband John, who worked as a teacher at leading girl's independent school St Swithun's in Winchester, said: ''I am hoping that the inquest will provide me with the facts I need. It is also my hope that any facts that emerge will help to ensure that this tragedy won't happen to another family.''

The inquest, held by Mid-Hampshire coroner Grahame Short, will begin tomorrow at the County Council Chamber in Winchester.

Mrs Pickett's husband David, of Colden Common, said: ''I want to be sure that when Christopher is old enough and asks to know what happened, that he knows that it was not his fault that his mother died.''

Claire Fazan, solicitor for both husbands, said: ''The purpose of an inquest is not to point the finger of blame, but is an inquiry into the cause of death.

''I anticipate that at the conclusion of the inquest we will have a better understanding of what happened to these two young women.''