AN INQUEST is to be held into the death of a 20-year-old Newport man whose family continue to raise concerns about the reasons why he died.

Glyn Gurney's father Nick and step-mum Kate have welcomed the news that Gwent coroner David Bowen is to hold a hearing at a future date.

Mr Gurney was a passenger in a car which crashed into the barrier on the A4042 in Newport in May, 2003.

His best friend, Chris-topher Dawkins, was driving and was later jailed for four years for causing the death while over the alcohol limit.

But Mr and Mrs Gurney have always maintained that the crash barrier, which snapped and buckled around the car's passenger seat, caused his fatal injuries.

Gwent Police commissioned a report by experts from the Traffic Research Laboratories into the barrier's performance and last month said no prosecution for corporate manslaughter was being brought.

"These inquiries indicate that the safety fence was constructed to the prescribed standards and the evidence suggests that the checks and maintenance programme were adhered to," said Superintendent Simon Prince.

"Consequently, the Crown Prosecution Service has advised that there is no evidence to suggest that any corporate body was in breach of their duty of care."

Kate Leonard, a senior prosecutor with the CPS in London, has written to Mr Gurney to explain the decision not to prosecute. But the letter has failed to satisfy the couple's determination to find out exactly why Glyn died.

He and his wife, who have two young daughters, now intend to pursue their own investigation into the death of a much-loved son.

"They are saying Chris is to blame. He should not have been drinking and driving and he has been punished for that but if that barrier had worked properly he would be with us now," said Mr Gurney. "We are just not happy with what we have been told."

Glyn's death and their battle to find answers has taken a huge toll on the family.

"Our life has changed totally from whatever it was before and whatever it was going to be. We can never get that back," said Mr Gurney.