Police investigating the death of student Rachel Whitear have visited her parents in Ledbury to ask if they could face a re-opened inquest.

Rachel's mother Pauline Holcroft said talks have been held with Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Howlett and Ian Bynoe, of the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

They told Mrs Holcroft and her husband Mick that DCS Howlett's report would be submitted to the Devonshire coroner before Christmas, for a decision on whether the inquest should be re-opened.

Rachel was found dead in a house in Exmouth in 2000 of a suspected heroin overdose, although there have been questions as to whether there was sufficient amounts of the drug in her body to kill her.

Mrs Holcroft said: "DCS Howlett asked us if we could face the upset again, which we faced when Rachel was exhumed in March.

"I have mixed feelings, but I also feel a re-opened inquest would be a natural conclusion to all the hard work that DCS Howlett and his team have put in. I would prefer it to happen.

"We have come a long way and the idea that Rachel's death certificate says 'open verdict' is unacceptable."

Before the inquest could be re-opened, the coroner would need permission from the High Court.

But Mrs Holcroft hopes the coroner will be able to come to a decision by spring or early summer at the latest.

She said she would accept it if the coroner decided against a new inquest.

A further exhumation of Rachel's body is also not needed. Police say they are satisfied with the exhumation carried out in March.

This latest police investigation is the second to be carried out and is being conducted by the Wiltshire force, after the questions raised following the original investigation.