THE family of a seven-year-old girl who died after allegedly being starved at her home were told today that her body could not yet be released for her funeral.

Police investigating Khyra Ishaqs death are still waiting for the results of three post mortem examinations on her body.

Members of her family gathered at Birmingham Coroners Court for the opening of the inquest into her death today.

During the brief hearing, Khyras father, Ishaq Abu-Zaire, told the court he understood the investigation into his daughters death would take some time.

Reasons

He said: "I do understand that it could be a lengthy process and police have explained to me the reasons."

Khyra was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital from her mothers home in Handsworth, Birmingham, in the early hours of May 17.

Her mother Angela Gordon, 33, and her partner Junaid Abuhamza, 29, both appeared in court via videolink on May 28, accused of "causing or allowing" her death.

The pair, who lived together with Khyra and her siblings in Handsworth, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court charged with the offence contrary to section five of the 2004 Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act.

They are formally accused of committing the offence between May 9 and the date of Khyras death, May 17.

The Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board launched a serious case review into the youngsters death.

Such an inquiry is launched when abuse or neglect is known or suspected to be a factor in a childs death, Birmingham City Council said