A coroner who helped bring Harold Shipman's murders to light has admitted there are no guarantees another doctor would be prevented from serial killings.

John Pollard, South Manchester Coroner, told the public inquiry into Shipman's crimes that there were flaws in the system, despite changes made since the GP's activities were revealed.

He said the system relied on trust being placed on the doctors who certified death.

Mr Pollard suggested that medical assessors should be posted in coroners' offices to monitor the details of deaths.

Shipman was convicted of 15 murders

He told the Manchester hearing: "If the doctor is determined to deceive or mislead me, he may well succeed.

"I, like many coroners, have no medical qualifications.

"If a death comes to my attention but the relevant doctor assures me that he is able to issue a death certificate then the reality is that I am bound to accept that unless I have good reason not to do so."

Changes have been made to the system since Shipman's crimes were revealed.

Records altered

Mr Pollard was questioned by Caroline Swift QC over suggestions that doctors may have issued death certificates after speaking to office clerks, rather than Mr Pollard, or a coroner's officer.

He said: "If Shipman was prepared to tell lies, as he clearly was, had he rung me I would have been misled over those lies.

"If I had asked to see medical records we know now that he had altered those medical records."

Shipman was jailed for life for murdering 15 of his patients from his surgery in Hyde, Greater Manchester.

An inquiry into his crimes is being held at Manchester Town Hall.