The Attorney General has opened the way for a fresh inquest into the death of student Rachel Whitear, whose parents live in Ledbury.

Wiltshire Police are asking to have the original inquest verdict quashed and a new hearing held. They can now pursue it through the High Court.

The force was asked to look into Miss Whitear's death following concerns about shortcomings in the original Devon and Cornwall Police investigation.

In a statement, Wiltshire Police said: "The application must be made to the High Court within six weeks and the papers are currently with our legal advisors, to prepare the application.

"It is not appropriate to comment further at this stage."

Miss Whitear, 21, was found dead in Exmouth in May 2000 from an apparent heroin overdose.

Questions have been raised since as to whether there was enough heroin in the syringe to have killed her.

An inquest conducted by the Exeter and Greater Devon coroner recorded an open verdict in December 2000. But in May 2003, following pressure from the student's family, the Police Complaints Authority agreed that there should be a new investigation carried out by Wiltshire Police.

Rachel's body was exhumed in March 2004 and a post-mortem was carried out at Hereford Hospital. But the coroner's decision at that time was that the inquest should not be re-opened and that the original verdict should stand.