A MASSIVE funding shortfall could lead to the World Health Organisation study into a deadly condition which killed a Newport woman, being abandoned.

The WHO's study into flight-related deep vein thrombosis, which killed 28-year-old Emma Christo-ffersen in September 2000, could collapse due to a £6.2 million funding shortfall. The news has renewed calls by campaigners, such as Emma's parents, Ruth and John, from Llanmar-tin, for the government to hold a public inquiry into the dangers of DVT.

Mrs Christoffersen, chairman of Victims of air Related DVT Association said: "I am extremely disappointed at this - it seems money is at the centre of everthing.

"It's absolutely incredible, more and more people are dying from DVT but nothing is being done. It has made us more determined than ever to get a public inquiry."

The shortfall has arisen because other countries involved in the WHO have not pledged any cash.

So far only the UK and the European Union have put forward any cash, both giving £600,000 each.

Vale of Glamorgan MP John Smith, who has been leading the campaign for a DVT public inquiry in the House of Commons, said: "I am bitterly disappointed that other countries have not contributed towards this study, despite being asked repeatedly by the WHO for help.

"If other countries will not contribute, as Britain has, then I believe we should go it alone. "We cannot delay any longer in finding out the causes of a condition that is killing thousands of people very year."