INQUESTS into the deaths of 11 men in the Shoreham Airshow crash have been postponed so families can attend in person.

Coroner Penelope Schofield said the hearings into the 2015 tragedy would now be pushed back until June or September next year, having originally been scheduled for September this year.

She expected more than 150 people would attend the trial which could create a health risk if held during the pandemic.

But Ms Schofield felt it would be inappropriate to hold the hearing remotely.

“With 11 bereaved families and several other interested parties, lawyers, press and public, it seems likely that well over 150 people would wish to attend court, and I anticipate the threat of Covid-19, the potential for its transmission and the consequent disruption of in-person proceedings, will not have receded by the autumn,” she said.

“My present view is that these inquests are not ones that are appropriate to be held remotely, given the importance to the families of being fully involved in the hearings, the benefits of hearing the first-hand evidence in person and the overall public interest.”

Pilot Andrew Hill survived after the Hawker Hunter jet he was flying exploded into a fireball on a busy dual carriageway at the Shoreham Airshow on August 22 2015.

An Air Accidents Investigation Branch report published in 2017 found the crash could have been avoided and was caused by pilot error when Mr Hill flew too low and too slowly while carrying out a manoeuvre.

In March 2019 he was cleared of 11 charges of manslaughter by gross negligence after a lengthy trial at the Old Bailey.

Ms Schofield said a pre-inquest review was still planned to be held remotely on June 24.