Mr Maddison died at Porton Down in 1953

An expert has said he could find no link between "human guinea pig" experiments at Porton Down and a cure for the common cold.

The comments were made at the inquest into the death of Airman Ronald Maddison at the Ministry of Defence facility in Wiltshire 51 years ago.

Historian John Harding said he could find "nothing in the official documents" to link the tests.

Leading Aircraftman Maddison died after being exposed to the nerve agent Sarin.

Mr Harding said LAC Maddison's medical records have also been destroyed.

'Flu' tests ruled out

He explained that the majority of service records were destroyed six years after a person left the RAF.

Mr Harding was also asked by Wiltshire Coroner David Masters if he had found any documents relating to tests for Influenza.

The retired MoD Civil Servant said he had also not found anything in the official documents.

He added: "There was clearly service involvement in the Influenza trials, but that appears to have been separate to Porton Down."

The inquest was adjourned until Monday.