An inquest was today opened into the death of former footballer Dalian Atkinson, who died after being tasered by police in Telford.

The coroner opened the inquest at Shirehall in Shrewsbury this morning.

A cause of death was not given during the opening of the inquest, further tests have been ordered after an initial post-mortem examination proved inconclusive.

Mr Atkinson died after a taser was discharged during an incident outside his father’s home in Meadow Close, Trench, during the early hours of Monday 15 August.

Two police officers initially attended the address and whilst in contact with Mr Atkinson outside the property one of the officers discharged a taser.

Mr Atkinson, of Holly Road Dawley, became unwell and an ambulance was called. He was treated at the scene and taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Two West Mercia Police officers are under criminal investigation and are also being served with gross misconduct notices following the death.

A team from the Independent Police Complaints Commision, who are not part of the police or police officers, are conducting the criminal investigation from their offices in Birmingham into the circumstances surrounding Mr Atkinson’s death.