FAMILIES of the Shoreham Airshow crash victims are being caused “unnecessary distress”, a coroner has said.

Eleven men were killed when pilot Andrew Hill crashed a Hawker Hunter on to the A27 next to Lancing College on August 22,2015.

But families will have to wait for a second Air Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) investigation to be published around the time of the 4th anniversary and until next year at least before an inquest will be held.

During a hearing yesterday West Sussex senior Coroner Penelope Schofield criticised delays and said the AAIB’s intention to re-investigate - which could jeopardise any inquest - was only brought to light on Friday.

The AAIB may decide to assess whether cognitive impairment was a factor in the tragedy - a key feature of Mr Hill’s defence during his criminal trial last year.

Mr Hill was cleared of 11 charges of manslaughter by gross negligence last year.

Delays were “clearly causing unnecessary distress for the families and it’s having a clear effect in the community of West Sussex”, the coroner said.

She told family members who were present that she sensed “the frustration that this matter is still going on” and promised to try and speed up proceedings.

Gerard Forlin QC, who represents the majority of the victims’ relatives, said: “There are planes flying now in air shows where this (cognitive impairment) could still be a factor.

Mr Forlin added: “I don’t think, and my families don’t think, there is any chance at all this (the inquest) is going to happen in January.”

But he added that families preferred to wait longer for the inquest if it meant having a proper investigation.

The hearing was told cognitive impairment “has become a major issue for this inquest and for flying displays”.

The coroner scheduled another preliminary hearing for November 29.

She said a decision about whether a jury will be used would also be made after the AAIB’s decision, which is expected to become clear in August.

Its initial report found the crash could have been avoided and was caused by pilot error when Mr Hill flew too low and too slowly while carrying out the manoeuvre.

He was placed into an induced coma after being thrown clear of the burning wreckage.

An inquiry by the Civil Aviation Authority is also ongoing.