PEMBROKESHIRE would lose its coroner under a proposed shake-up of the Coronial and Registration Service.

The plan is to cut back the number of coroners in Wales, probably to four, and these would be appointed on a full-time basis.

A medical examiner would also be attached to each coroner's office and one proposal is that every single death should be reported to that person.

Some of the reforms could have a wide impact, leading to delays in funerals and increased pressure on families, GPs, funeral directors, registrars and police.

Last week, Pembrokeshire's coroner for 25 years, Michael Howells, invited a Home Office official responsible for the review to Milford Haven to explain the proposals to 'users' of the coroner's service in the county and to listen to their views.

ns that the coroner and medical examiner will be based outside Pembrokeshire. This could lead to a delay in signing off the paperwork which allows funerals to go ahead.

It could also result in some, if not all, inquests being held out of the county.

Mr Howells said after the meeting: "I do think that the Coroner Service needs to be modernised. There are some things which are archaic. But the modernisation must not be obtained to the detriment of the public.

"There are certain improvements which could be carried out, provided there are safeguards so that the local service and the local knowledge is maintained. We certainly need to know if there will be a district office."

Haverfordwest funeral director, Cllr Roy Folland, said: "Although there is talk of consultation, my fear is that a decision has already been made. We were told it was not a cost-cutting exercise, but value for money.

"My concern is not extra work for the funeral directors, but the effect it would have on families, who are already under considerable strain."

THE removal of the office of Pembrokeshire coroner would be just one more loss of a 'local' service. Crown courts were once held in the Shire Hall, Haverfordwest.

But now most local cases are heard before a judge in Swansea Crown Court. Industrial tribunals, which were also held at the Shire Hall, now take place in Carmarthen.