THE official 'Swearing of Oath' ceremony has taken place for the new merged Coroners Service for Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen.
The new service will be responsible for inquests examining approximately 4,000 deaths a year.
The ceremony at the Shire Hall in Lancaster Castle is the first since the amalgamation of the Coroners service covering the Blackburn with Darwen Council and Lancashire County Council areas.
Coroners and Assistant Coroners gathered at the castle for the ceremony, which was conducted by the High Sheriff of Lancashire Robert Mitchel Webb. They were joined by representatives from both councils, Lancaster City Council and other invited guests.
Following the merger last year, the new jurisdiction is now led by Dr James Adeley as the Senior Coroner.
He was previously Acting Senior Coroner for Blackburn with Darwen.
Dr Adeley will be supported by Richard Taylor and James Newman as Area Coroners.
Mr Taylor was formerly the senior coroner in Pennine Lancashire.
The merger was triggered by the retirement of Michael Singleton, senior coroner for Blackburn and Darwen after 20 years.
It aims to provide a consistent and an improved service across the whole county making better use of technology to boost efficiency.
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