A GRIEVING Otley mother has spoken of her relief after finally being able to lay her son to rest.

Bryan Smith, 41, who had learning difficulties, died at Bradford Royal Infirmary from a blood clot six days after he was attacked near his flat in Windhill, Shipley, on New Year's Day.

An inquest was opened into his death on Tuesday and his mother, Eileen Smith, 70, of Otley, said she was pleased she would now be able to bury him.

She said: "To think of him lying in a mortuary all this time, I didn't want to think about it some of the time, you try not to but you can't help it, at night time especially."

Mr Smith's funeral is due to take place at All Saints Church, Ilkley, on July 5 at 11.15am.

A woman and a man, both 30, are due to appear at Bradford Magistrates Court on July 24 charged with robbing and assaulting Mr Smith.

At the opening of the inquest, Detective Superintendent Phil Sedgewick told Bradford Coroners Court that the case was initially treated as a murder investigation.

But after consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, it was decided there was insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone for manslaughter.

The inquest was told Mr Smith had drunk about 15 pints of beer at a pub before making his way home to his flat.

After he sustained the head injury he was taken to BRI complaining of headaches but his condition deteriorated and he died on January 6.