THE family of a man who had been missing in Greece for 12 years have been told they will finally be able to lay him to rest.

Steven Cook, 20, from Sandbach, disappeared while on holiday in Crete with friends in August 2005.

His family, including his brother Chris from Northwich, had campaigned tirelessly to find him but they were told by police in February that Steven’s remains had been found in a well in Malia.

The inquest into Steven’s death was officially opened at Warrington Coroner’s Court last Friday and Coroner Alan Moore allowed his body to be released to his family.

Mr Moore had been told by Det Insp Gary McIntyre of Cheshire Police that extensive forensic examinations had been carried out in Greece and in this country to confirm Steven's identity.

Mr Moore said: “This is a short hearing, the purpose of the hearing is to get the inquest opened formally and to enable me to release Steven’s body to the family.”

Mr Moore also thanked Det Insp McIntyre for the hard work done by Cheshire Police in finding Steven.

“Thank you for all you and your colleagues have done in this case,” he added.

A date is due to be set for the full inquest hearing, which is likely to be later this year.