THE bid to discover the cause of the death of a young Herefordshire heroin addict who became a symbol in the fight against drug abuse has taken another turn.

Rachel Whitear was 21 when she was found dead in a Devon flat in 2000.

Five years later, her parents Pauline and Mick Holcroft, of Ledbury, are still seeking a definitive cause of their daughter's death.

They have pledged to continue their fight for a second inquest despite their hopes being dashed.

They returned from holiday this week to find a letter informing them that the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith was being advised that there was no need for a second inquest.

"We have written to the Attorney General urging him to read all the papers connected with the case before making a decision," said Mrs Holcroft.

There had been no post mortem carried out at the time of her death and an inquest returned an open verdict.

After her parents lodged a complaint against the original investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police, a senior officer from the Wiltshire Constabulary reopened the case, which resulted in Rachel's body being exhumed last year from St Peter's Church, Withington, for further tests.

Rachel became a symbol in the fight against drugs when her parents used photographs and video of their daughter to promote the dangers of drug taking.

They provoked controversy by releasing a photograph of Rachel on the floor after her death clutching a syringe.