An inquest into the death of a well-respected undertaker is awaiting further reports before it can be heard.

Sally Blundell died on December 1 last year in the Swaffham branch of the East of England Funeral Services, where she worked.

Described at the time as a "tragic accident", Mrs Blundell died after being crushed to death. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still being investigated.

An inquest into the 58-year-old's death opened in January, a month after the incident, and investigations into the circumstances have continued since then.

But during a short hearing to give an update on the probe, it was confirmed the case is not yet ready to be heard.

Samatha Goward, area coroner for Norfolk, said: "Mrs Blundell was found deceased on December 1 at her place of work.

"There are still reports outstanding from Breckland Council and the police which means the inquest is not ready to be heard."

Mrs Goward adjourned the hearing until March 11, when a further update will be given. 

The death is understood to have involved a hoist that is used for lifting in the funeral parlour.

It saw the branch in the town's Market Place close for several days while initial investigations were carried out.

Mrs Blundell was a long-serving and well-respected member of the team at the home, having worked for the organisation for almost a decade.

She also spent part of her time with the company running the branch in Attleborough.

Following her death, a spokesman for the firm said: "Sally worked for Co-op for more than eight years and her care and experience will be truly missed by those in and around Swaffham, as well as her colleagues.

"First and foremost in our mind are Sally's family and friends - we offer them our deepest condolences."