ONE of the first inquests into the deaths at Stafford Hospital to be heard by a jury will begin today.

Grandmother Gillian Astbury died there after going into a diabetic coma.

The 66-year-old had been taken to the hospital after a fall three years ago.

Solicitors representing her family claim Mrs Astbury, from Hednesford, was found in the fatal coma within days, despite a care plan being drawn up to manage the diabetes when she arrived at the hospital.

Stafford Hospital has since been engulfed in a scandal over its patient care over a three-year period.

It is thought between 400 and 1,200 more people died than expected at the hospital between 2005 and 2008.

Earlier this summer, it was announced there was to be a full public inquiry in the scandal, with hearings due to start next month.

The inquest into Mrs Astbury's death will re-open at Stafford Coroner's Court today and is expected to examine key details of the case.

Friend and full-time carer Ron Street said: "The years since Gill's death have taken their toll emotionally and our hope now is that the inquest will bring her a chance of justice."