HAMPSHIRE senior coroner is set to leave his post next month.

Grahame Short was appointed to the role in the early 1990s, and has overseen thousands of inquest.

Mr Short had been central Hampshire coroner before taking over the running of all Southampton and New Forest inquests from May 2014.

Mr Short has previously worked as a solicitor for Blake Lapthorn, which he joined in 1982, and was a partner specialising in commercial property.

Coroners were established in England in 1194, with the word derived from the Latin “corona”, meaning crown.

The role has wide-ranging legal-powers to investigate sudden, unexplained and unattended deaths.

Mr Short is due to retire from the role at the end of October.