THE family of a Steeton teenager are calling for a change in the law after his brain was allegedly removed and thrown away without consent during a post-mortem examination.

Eighteen-year-old Stuart Lister died last May after being found unconscious with head injuries at the side of the road in the village.

His family has since learnt that Stuart was buried without his brain after it was taken out during a post-mortem examination and then discarded.

Stuart's father, Keith Lister, is to take his grievances to Home Secretary Jack Straw after being less than happy about the investigation into his son's tragic death.

He says the family would have never buried Stuart "incomplete" and adds that there are "moral and ethical reasons" why his brain should not have been removed without consent.

A verdict of death by misadventure was recorded on Stuart who had tumbled out of a taxi on his way home from a night out in Keighley.

The taxi driver was later convicted of failing to report the accident and obstructing the police in the execution of their duty.

West Yorkshire Coroner Roger Whittaker has refused to comment on the issue.

But in letters to Mr Lister, he says: "Before tissue is destroyed consultation should take place between the coroner and pathologist. Sadly in this case it did not take place."

This week, Stuart's mum, licensee of the Grouse pub, Silsden, was not up to talking to reporters. "I'm just too upset by it all to talk at the moment," she said.