A coroner who refuses to allow Jews or Muslims to skip the burial queue has been accused of breaching human rights laws at the High Court.

Mary Hassell, the senior coroner for inner north London, established a policy so that deaths in her jurisdiction are dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis.

It says no death will be prioritised based on the religion of the deceased or their family by either the coroner or her officers.

The policy is being challenged at the court in London by religious groups who say it ignores "deeply held beliefs" which require their dead to be buried as soon as possible.

They argue Ms Hassell's stance is unlawful and breaches the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act.