Tushar Makwana moved to Britain from Uganda in the 1970s

Aidan Cotter said he hoped people would follow the lead shown by relatives of Tushar Makwana, whose actions have helped save the lives of others.

The 37-year-old died in hospital last Wednesday after suffering head injuries during a confrontation with intruders.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned on Tuesday.

Mr Cotter, the coroner for Birmingham, praised the award-winning DJ's widow Dee and her family for allowing his organs to be used.

Very often the family who donate organs actually gain as much as those who receive them Coroner Aidan Cotter

He said: "I would expect at least three people will live who would have otherwise died.

"These people who will live are not statistics; they are real people who would die if they had not received this gift."

Mr Makwana, a father-of-three who worked for Birmingham-based Heart FM, was struck by an estate car outside his home in Castle Bromwich on 9 February.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Cotter said: "What I'm trying to get across to everybody is that there are people dying in hospitals as we speak for lack or organ donations and that they are desperately needed.

"In my experience, very often the family who donate organs actually gain as much as those who receive them - they do find that it provides enormous comfort, knowing that other people's lives have been saved.

Eight arrests

"I hope that as Mr Makwana was so well known and respected that this will encourage other people to follow the same path."

Six men arrested on suspicion of attempted murder before the 37-year-old's death have been released on police bail.

Two women were also arrested and released on bail on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

All eight are aged between 16 and 22 and from the Castle Vale and Erdington areas of Birmingham.