The family of a man who died in a Kent hospital because of a bed shortage in Sussex has expressed its heartbreak at having to cancel his funeral.

More than 100 people were expected to attend the service for Scott Cosgrove on Friday but it had to be cancelled because paperwork did not arrive in time.

His family hope the funeral can take place this week but is fearful of more delays.

Mr Cosgrove, 27, of Goldstone Villas, Brighton, died from a suspected heroin overdose more than three weeks ago.

But his funeral had to be cancelled because of a delay in the coroner's autopsy results being sent to Brighton.

Mr Cosgrove's sister, Claire, is demanding to know when her brother can be laid to rest.

She said: "My mother and I can't get on with our lives until the funeral is over.

"The Brighton coroners and the funeral directors told me the autopsy results were usually back within ten days.

"But it is three weeks now and they are still not back. I am worried they may be lost.

"It is upsetting enough when a member of your family dies but when they are sent to a hospital miles away and then you keep getting told the autopsy results will be back soon, it is torture.

"The pain is prolonged and feels ten times worse.

"All this is because he died in a Kent hospital, where he should not have been sent."

Mr Cosgrove was found unconcious by his girlfriend at his flat on June 15.

Paramedics took 45 minutes to resuscitate him before taking him to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.

Mr Cosgrove's family was told there were no intensive care beds available in Brighton so he was transferred to Medway Maritime Hospital, Kent, where he died.

Miss Cosgrove, 26, who lives in Southwick, said: "My mum Josephine got a call to say he was in a critical condition.

"She went to the hospital and was told to wait in a room. She almost missed seeing Scott because he was being put in an ambulance to go to Kent.

"My mum and I couldn't get to the hospital until the day he died but we spent four hours with him and are thankful for that.

"He had been clean of heroin for about five months and was on the road to recovery.

"He was a gentle giant with a heart of gold. He was loved by everybody."

Mr Cosgrove's funeral is now due to be held at St Joseph's Church, Elm Grove, Brighton, on Friday at 12.15pm.

A Royal Sussex spokesman confirmed Mr Cosgrove was transferred to the Kent hospital in the early hours of June 16 , which had been a busy night.

No one was available for comment at the Kent or Brighton coroners offices.