Lynn Sorensen, 54A DAUGHTER has lodged a complaint against doctors she claims covered up the true reasons for her 81-year-old father's death.

Mr Sorensen, of Spa Court, Melksham, died in the Royal United Hospital, Bath, in August 1999 after a fall at his home.

An inquest recorded a verdict of natural causes but for the past five years his daughter Lynn Sorensen, 54, of Church Lane, Box, and his 80-year-old widow June, have spent £50,000 on legal costs so far.

After a failed clinical negligence claim at Bristol County Court the pair lodged a complaint with the General Medical Council, a body that protects patients and is responsible for doctors' licences. Only two of the doctors are still working at the RUH. The GMC has the power to restrict or remove a doctor's registration if they are found unfit to practice.

Miss Sorensen said: "It is at least one step forward now that the General Medical Council have advised us they are now taking steps to investigate."

Miss Sorensen said she has been involved in a lengthy fight for justice and despite the enormous amounts of money involved, will not give up. An inquest held in Bristol in March 2001 recorded a verdict of natural causes but Miss Sorensen claims the truth surrounding her father's death was covered up. The GMC has acknowledged her complaint against a list of doctors but before they consider her complaint they will give details of it to the doctors concerned and their employers.

Miss Sorensen's mother is appealing against a court order for her to pay the RUH's legal costs after the failed clinical negligence bid, which she believes may reach tens of thousands of pounds.

The 54-year-old said it had been a "David and Goliath situation" and the NHS had been "armed with a barrage of solicitors, barrister and administrators".

Miss Sorensen, who said she has been working many hours a day on the case, believes a criminal investigation should be launched into her father's death by Avon & Somerset Police. She has been working full-time in what she claims is a fight for justice and has gained access to medical notes and x-rays using the Freedom of Information Act.

She said: "It has dominated and continues to dominate and overshadow all our lives, at a time which for an elderly person such as my mother should be a time of retirement with her husband and as free as possible from stress and anguish."

Estate agent Mr Sorenson was still working at the time of his death. He had been a boxer in earlier life and served in the Second World War. His daughter said: "My dad did such a lot for me all my life. He was always there. He is dead now and the least I can do is take this matter up."

A RUH spokesman said: "Mrs Sorensen brought legal proceedings against the Trust. Her case was struck out by the Judge and, in accordance with the normal court rules, she was ordered to pay the Trust's legal costs.

"It is inappropriate to comment further on the issues in this case as Mrs Sorensen has since appealed against the Judge's decision."