A SENIOR mortuary worker with more than 30 years' service at Blackburn Royal Infirmary has been suspended after a dispute with a funeral director.

Harry Belshaw, 63, one of two senior technicians at the hospital, was suspended from work on March 9.

Then staffing problems prompted by another member of staff leaving the mortuary and the second technician taking annual leave meant some bodies had to then be taken to Burnley General Hospital for post mortem examinations.

Jeff Cottam, pathology manager at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We are unable to disclose details as we have an employer's obligation to respect the individual's privacy."

He said Mr Belshaw, of Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, would be suspended "pending investigations into allegations received by the trust."

It is believed Mr Belshaw was suspended over a dispute with an East Lancashire funeral directors.

He has worked at the infirmary since 1974. Mr Cottam added: "The Blackburn mortuary is being operated by the other mortuary staff with support from mortuary staff from Burnley General Hospital.

"The undertaking of post mortems in Burnley was a temporary measure put in place due to staffing shortages which have now been resolved. No post mortems will be moved to Burnley General Hospital after Friday, March 24.

Bodies were transferred to Burnley by a private funeral director and although this cost the trust he said it was the "most cost-effective and least disruptive way of delivering the service".

But he said a new member of staff was due to start on Monday, April 3, to replace another member of staff who had left.

Mr Belshaw declined to comment on the matter.