IRAQ hostage Jason Swindlehurst died from gunshot wounds, an inquest heard.

Mr Swindlehurst, 38, of Skelmersdale, and Jason Creswell, 39, originally from Glasgow, were working as security guards and were among a group of five Britons kidnapped in Baghdad on May 29, 2007.

An inquest into their deaths was opened and adjourned yesterday during a short hearing at Salisbury Coroners Court.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Moles, from Metropolitan police’s counter terrorism command, said: “On June 19, through an intermediary, two bodies in caskets were delivered to a police station in Baghdad.

“The bodies were transferred to a military mortuary at Baghdad International Airport. What assisted in the initial identification process was that both bodies had unique tattooing. Mr Swindlehurst had particularly distinctive tattoos.”

Samples of DNA were then taken to officially confirm the identities on June 21. The cause of death was recorded as gunshot wounds for both men.

The three other hostages are still missing in Iraq.

The inquest was adjourned to January 9.

The bodies were released for burial.