THE joint inquest into a young couple who died in a house fire has been pushed back several months.

Tazmin Pugh, 18, and boyfriend Josh Kirk, 21, were killed in a fire at a house on the A44 in Cotheridge on October 28, last year.

Their inquest was originally set for April 23 but was rescheduled and the new date has been announced as September 23.

Following the tragedy, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service concluded that the fatal fire was accidental after an extension cable overheated.

The couple could not be saved despite 30 firefighters and officers being sent to fight the blaze.

The inquest is due to take place at 10am at Worcestershire Coroners Court in Stourport, and will last one day.

Former GB swimmer Miss Pugh returned from the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa with six gold medals in 2015.

Following that victory, she enrolled in British Swimming’s world-class programme on podium potential level before setting a new British Junior Record in the 100 Fly in December that year.

Dad Ian Pugh said his daughter stopped swimming after a wrist injury forced her to use her legs more which led to an ankle injury.

Miss Pugh was a former pupil at Bowbrook House School, Abbey Park Middle School and Pershore High School.

Mr Kirk had attended The Chantry High School in Martley and was described as a talented pianist and the “soul of the party” by a friend.

Mr Pugh paid tribute to his “happy, smiling daughter” and, speaking to us in December, said the two families had been overwhelmed by the outpouring of grief after their deaths.