THE inquest into the death of a Gulf War veteran found dead in his car has been adjourned.

Shaun Smith's parents, Peter and Jackie, believe their son, of Bowland Avenue, Burnley, did not receive the appropriate treatment after being diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after returning from the first Gulf War.

They asked for the inquest to be adjourned so that more information about his treatment following the diagnosis of PTSD could be obtained.

The family's solicitor Mark McGhee urged East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor to allow more time for this evidence to be gathered. He said: "He was medically discharged as suffering from PTSD and after that made four or five attempts at self harm, some or all of which were made known to the health authority.

"It is the family's contention that further investigation is needed as to the course of action taken to try to assess him because of his clearly diagnosed illness and consequent alcohol abuse."

The 32-year-old father-of-one, who is believed to have taken his own life earlier this year, was medically discharged from the army in 1998.

He joined up in 1990, aged 19, and was posted to the Gulf after completing 12 months of training. As part of the Pioneer Corps, Shaun was among the first to be sent out and had the task of laying the ground work for the troops who followed.

Agreeing to the adjournment Mr Taylor said: "I have to be aware of the concerns of the bereaved families and I am aware that I want them to leave one of my inquests hopefully knowing more about what happened and the reasons why they have lost a loved one.

"I have no hesitation in adjourning this inquest if that is the family's wish."