The grieving mother of a teenage car crash victim is devastated by what she describes as "shocking failings" that led to her son's body decomposing in a hospital morgue.

As a result, Maria Brittain has had to bring forward the date of 19-year-old Ismael Martinan-Brittain's funeral to today, which would have been his 20th birthday.

And because his body has deteriorated so badly, some of his immediate family or close relatives in Spain have not been able to pay their respects with him lain in his coffin.

Mum-of-three Mrs Brittain, 48, heartbroken at the untimely loss of her much-loved son, had wanted to give him a dignified send-off by dressing him in his favourite tracksuit and chain jewellery.

But when after four weeks he was released to a Chatham funeral director, the undertaker had a problem moving him because his skin was too fragile.

On the day of the tragedy, Ismael had left the family home on St Mary's Island to run an errand on his motorbike for his mother, who needed items picking up from her eldest son Manuel's home in Chatham.

Within minutes of leaving Manuel, 21, on the early evening of Tuesday, January 2, he was killed in a crash involving a black Ford Focus. Ismael died at the scene of the collision in Princes Avenue.

James Dye, 22, of Rainham Road, Chatham, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Mrs Brittain, who is a full-time carer, said: "We have been stripped of our son. It's terrible to lose a son, but it's harsh and in reality accidents do happen. But what has happened since has made it so much worse.

"We had to wait three days to formally identify him. He looked perfect then, no marks on his skin. It was only when we saw him at the funeral parlour we saw the full horror of what had happened.

"The undertaker closed the shop and warned us, but nothing could have prepared us for that.

"I still have had no formal report on the post mortem examination nor a death certificate. Why has it taken so long? I am broken inside."

While her husband and Ismael's father Manuel, 52, a chef, remains here, many of their friends and family from Spain will not be able to make the changed date of the funeral.

Undertaker Andrea Button, who has been helping Mrs Brittain unravel the confusion, said there appeared to have been "a mix-up in communication".

She said: "First we were told that a defence solicitor wanted a second post-mortem but then we found out that was not the case.

"It has a been a privilege to walk alongside Maria and her family at such a sad time, as it is with all families, but in this case the system has let her down."

Mrs Brittain, who also has a daughter, Gisela, 12, looks after her sick mother Rosemary Barrack, 68, at their home in Westview.

Ismael was born in Spain and moved to Gravesend at the age of three where he attended St John's Primary School. When he moved to Medway he went to St John Fisher Catholic School in Chatham. He liked to keep fit and worked out at the TruGym in Chatham Maritime up to four times a week.

Ismael's funeral is at St Michael's RC Church, Hills Terrace, Chatham at 12.30pm today, followed by cremation at Blue Bell Hill Crematorium, in Robin Hood Lane.

A wake will be held afterwards at St Mary's Island Community Hall.

"Why has it taken so long? I am broken inside" - Maria Brittain

A spokesman for the Kent Coroners' Office said: "After the death of Ismael Martinan-Brittain was reported to the Coroner, a special post mortem was ordered to be undertaken, which is the usual practice in deaths where criminal charges may be brought against the driver of a vehicle involved in the collision which caused the death.

"There are a limited number of pathologists able to undertake such examinations and as a consequence the post mortem did not take place until 10 January, which was the first available opportunity.

"There was a delay in establishing that the solicitors representing the suspect did not want to undertake a second post mortem, during which time the deceased remained at the mortuary.

"When the coroner was informed that the solicitors were not seeking a further post mortem, the body was released to the family.

"Where the body of the deceased is retained at the mortuary it is kept under refrigerated conditions. It is sometimes appropriate to place the body in the freezer in the event of a known lengthy delay but the Coroners' service is unable to determine why the body was not frozen in this case.

"The family were informed of the post mortem results but the written findings would not be available until such a time as toxicological analysis has been completed, which can take up to eight weeks.

"The Coroner will always release the body to the family at the earliest opportunity but is only able to do so when the legal processes have been completed."

James Lowell, executive director of clinical operations, said: "Our deepest condolences go to the family of Ismael Martinan-Brittain on their very sad loss.

"Ensuring that those within our care are treated with respect and dignity is of the greatest importance to us, and we take any claims that this has not been the case extremely seriously.

"We are aware of the concerns expressed by Ismael’s family and are in regular contact with them. We are currently carrying out a full investigation and are unable to comment further while this is ongoing. We will respond directly to Ismael’s family once the investigation has been completed."