THE mother of a Burnley teenager who died in youth custody today spoke of her disgust that the family could have to wait two years before an inquest is held.

Carol Pounder spoke out as she joined a lobby of Parliament led by pressure group Inquest to highlight the issue of youngsters in custody.

Adam Rickwood, 14, of Harold Street, became the youngest person in the country to die while in custody.

He was found hanging in his room at the Hassockfield Centre in Consett, County Durham, in August.

Adam had been sent to the privately-run secure training unit by the courts after allegedly breaching bail while accused of a wounding offence. Police have said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Groups including Inquest, a national pressure group which investigates custody deaths, and the Howard League for Penal Reform, have backed the family's call for a public inquiry.

But as the groups prepared to lobby for an inquiry, County Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle revealed today it could be two years before a full inquest can be held into Adam's death.

Before he can hold his hearing, three separate inquiries into the death must be completed, as well as the public inquiry Mrs Pounder is calling for.

The results of these inquiries cannot be published until the inquest is over, leaving Adam's family waiting.

Mrs Pounder said: "It's disgusting. Two years is far too long to wait. We want answers to what happened to Adam at the detention centre and that needs an inquest and a public inquiry."