A coroner who operated a "cab rank" system for burials has been told by the High Court to drop her policy and release the bodies of Jews and Muslims first.

Judges said the "equality protocol" policy introduced by Mary Hassell, the senior coroner for inner north London, was "discriminatory" and "incapable of rational justification".

The protocol said that "no death will be prioritised in any way over any other because of the religion of the deceased or family, either by the coroner’s officers or coroners."

This meant cases were assessed and bodies released for burial by the coroner's office in order of when they were received, taking no account of any religious requirements.

Ms Hassell introduced the policy at the end of October last year, prompting protests from Jewish and Muslim groups, whose beliefs require a funeral to take place as soon as possible after death.

She told the court that she was concerned about the "negative impact that prioritisation of one sector of the community above others has had upon the families of those other deceased".

She also relied on guidance issued in 2014 by the Chief Coroner which said "the law does not allow the Coroner to give priority to any one person over another".