INQUESTS which involve witnesses or family attending court have been postponed.

Senior Coroner at Brighton Coroner’s Court Veronica Hamilton-Deeley has adjourned all inquests where families or witnesses are expected to attend until August or September.

She said: “It may well be possible to proceed with documentary inquests with a small number of interested persons. I am looking at teleconferencing facilities.

“We will strive to make the best arrangements possible.”

In West Sussex inquests have also been adjourned until September.

Some hearings such as documentary inquests that do not require family to attend will go ahead at a new venue.

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “We understand this may be upsetting for families but we have to make sure we are keeping people safe and are following Government advice.”

The pre-inquest review into the Shoreham Airshow disaster scheduled to take place in June will still happen, likely by telephone, the council said.

It is currently the coroner’s intention that the inquest will proceed in September as planned.