An Oxford man who is demanding an investigation into his sister's death at a Bristol bail hostel has won his High Court fight for a new inquest.

Catherine Whitley, 22, died on December 17, 1999, at the Ashford House Bail and Probation Hostel where she was being held on bail after being arrested on drugs charges.

A pathologist gave the cause of death as "acute morphine toxicity", and an accidental death verdict was recorded after an inquest by the Avon Coroner on April 19 last year.

But her brother, Bart Bentley, of Coltfoot Square, Greater Leys, argued yesterday (Weds) that there had been a "grave insufficiency of inquiry".

His challenge for a review was upheld by Justice Sullivan. He said he would give reasons for his decision later.

Sally Hatfield, for Mr Bentley, argued: "The principal complaint is that the investigation into the death of Catherine Whitley confined itself solely to the reading of statements taken from fellow hostel residents."

She said that "questions remain as to how she came by her death".

It is not yet known when the new inquest will take place.