THE bodies of babies and children who died in Hampshire are being illegally transported across the country because of a crisis in pathology.

A critical shortage of child experts to carry out post-mortem examinations means young bodies are being sent to London - more than 80 miles away from their grieving families.

Southampton Coroner Keith Wiseman confirmed that he had been forced to break the law by sending bodies out of the county.

He said the breach has become common practice because of a chronic shortage of specialists in the region.

The county's only paediatric pathologist is over burdened as she only works three days a week at Southampton General Hospital.

Mr Wiseman said: "I wouldn't say we send them all out of Hampshire, but we do send a pretty fair proportion automatically to Greater Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London.

"We will do what we can within the jurisdiction, but if we haven't got anyone then obviously we have to get it done. "Any form of transportation is not desirable, but I would hope it doesn't add to the suffering of the families.

"I don't think it would make a situation any worse, which is already terrible."

For more on this story don't miss your weekend Daily Echo.