A FAMILY who have spent more than two years waiting for an inquest to be held into the death of their stillborn daughter will now have to wait another two months.

The inquest into the death of Ellie-Mai Flowers was adjourned on Monday after Southend Hospital presented new documents to the coroner, Caroline Beasley-Murray.

Chris Flowers and Emily Cox, both 28, were expecting the inquest to take place at Chelmsford Coroner’s Court yesterday, more than two years after the death of Ellie- Mai at Southend Hospital on April 24, 2012.

However, they were told by Mrs Beasley-Murray the inquest would have to be adjourned until November 17 to allow documents only recently presented by the hospital to be fully considered.

She told the family: “The court is aware this is a very old matter and that baby Ellie- Mai suddenly passed away in April, 2012.

“As soon as I saw this matter, I knew an independent expert was required and it is with great regret the court is going to have to adjourn this matter.”

She added: “The court is very aware of the feelings and anxieties of the family and it really is at the last minute the family have seen much of the material.

“This court wants to avoid the nagging feeling on behalf of the family that there could be other witnesses.”

Speaking after the inquest was adjourned, Mr Flowers, who lives with partner Emily in Rochford, expressed his disappointment.

He said: “It’s been really hard over the last couple of years and now we’ve got to wait another two months.”

He explained Ellie-Mai was about two weeks overdue when doctors attempted to induce the birth before eventually performing an emergency Caesarean.

Sadly, however, she was found to have died.

The inquest will include testimony from midwives and doctors who delivered Ellie- Mai and will take place on November 17 and 19.

Sue Hardy, chief nurse at the hospital, said: “The trust would again like to express its sincere condolences to Ellie- Mai’s family for their loss.

“We understand this is a difficult time and we are complying with the coroner’s request for additional information, which we will supply as quickly as possible.”