WIDOW Lynette Palmer says new investigations into her husband's death on holiday give her hope of finding out why he died.

In April the Argus reported on Bryan Palmer, a 59-year-old engineering worker who died suddenly on a Mediterranean cruise holiday last October.

But their dream holiday with Island Cruises descended into a nightmare when Bryan became seriously ill.

Four days into the trip he was taken into hospital, and died a week later. Doctors told Mrs Palmer, of Carlyon Road, Newbridge, her husband had legionnaires' disease, but his death certificate states he died of bronchial pneumonia.

Mrs Palmer says no post-mortem examination was carried out until his body was back in the UK, after it had already been embalmed.

She is calling for an inquest to find out exactly why her husband died and if he had legionnaires' disease, where and how he contracted it.

But since the Argus covered the story Mrs Palmer says the Gwent coroner has been in touch with her several times.

She said they are trying to get Mr Palmer's medical records sent over from Spain and is investigating whether or not to hold an inquest.

The family have also been offered a meeting with the coroner and Gwent's communicable diseases officer, Dr Lika Nehaul.

The Gwent coroner's office confirm they are looking into Mr Palmer's death and gathering more information, although no inquest is planned at the moment.

Mrs Palmer says the renewed investigation offers her hope of getting answers.

She said: "We have to know why he died. There are too many questions which haven't been answered."

If Mr Palmer caught legionnaires' disease, it is important to establish where and when it happened, so steps can be taken to make sure no-one else is affected.

A spokeswoman for Island Cruises (a branch of First Choice travel company) said: "Tests on the ship's water and air-conditioning units were done and came back as clear."