A BODY washed up on the Isle of Wight last year has been identified as the mother-in-law of murdered London businessman Amarjit Chohan.

DNA tests of the body, found at Alum Bay, last November, have confirmed it is that of Mrs Charanjit Kaur, 51.

The body of haulage firm boss Mr Chohan, 46, was discovered near Bournemouth Pier on April 22 and his wife's was subsequently also found off the Dorset coast.

Mr Chohan went missing with his wife Nancy, 25, their two young sons, and Mrs Kaur on February 16 last year. An inquest into Mrs Kaur's death was opened and adjourned at the IW Coroner's Court on Monday. The body was found by dog walkers at Alum Bay on the Island's western tip on November 15 last year but only now been formally identified.

Three men have appeared at the Old Bailey to deny murdering millionaire Mr Chohan, of Heston, near Hounslow, and four members of his family. The trial of Kenneth Regan, 54, of Wilton, Wiltshire, accountant William Horncy, 51, of Bournemouth, and Peter Rees, 38, of Rowlands Castle, Hampshire, jointly accused of the five killings is due to start on October 11 but an application is being made to change the date.