The British Government will continue to press for answers over the death of a Workington biker in south America after it emerged that Brazilian authorities had still not responded to enquiries.

Christopher Peck, 34, of Shore Road, Salterbeck, died on May 2 last year, 12 days after his motorbike was hit head on by a car whose driver had been drinking.

An inquest last month heard that, despite admitting drinking in the hours before the collision, and failing a breath test, the driver had not been charged in relation to Mr Peck's death.

The news prompted Workington MP Sue Hayman to press for action to be taken by writing to Sir Alan Duncan, Minister of State for Europe and the Americas in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Now, a response from Sir Alan has highlighted that his office has been seeking information from the Brazilian police about the case since January and, despite making attempts as recently as March 1, had received no response.

He said: We will now look to further escalate this case to ensure we get clarity from the Brazilian police on the issue of prosecution. Let me reassure you we will continue to press for an answer."

But he warned that, with Brazil about to enter carnival season, which sees public offices close, any answers were unlikely to be immediately forthcoming.

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Mrs Hayman said: "It's good that they are going to escalate it. It's extremely disappointing that the Brazilian police department has not seen fit to prosecute and has let this case slip through its fingers when it's of such importance to the family to see justice.

"I'm very disappointed that when the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has contacted them they have not responded to requests, effectively ignoring us.

"We need to keep pressure on them to start prosecution proceedings as the man responsible is clearly guilty.

"He's admitted it and there was a breathalyser test so we know he was driving when he shouldn't have been due to drinking. It seems to be a clear-cut case."

Mr Peck's sister, Natalie Taylor, welcomed the news.

She said: "It's quite amazing that somebody is trying to find out more for us. It's reassuring that the Government is taking it seriously.

"At the time we fought to get help and information from the British Consulate and they couldn't help us until the day he died so to get some help from the Government is really good.

"It's been a brick wall everywhere else we have tried."