The parents of an RAF pilot killed in Iraq two years ago are hoping the pre-inquest review into his death will be held this month.

Richard and Pauline Stead, laid flowers at the war memorial this week on the second anniversary of the death of their son, David, who was killed in Iraq when his plane was shot down near Baghdad.

Flight Lieutenant Stead, 35, of Burley-in-Wharfedale, was one of ten servicemen to die when the Hercules crashed after bullets pierced its fuel tank causing it to explode.

Since the deaths the families of the servicemen have been campaigning for explosive suppressant foam to be installed in all RAF Hercules aircraft.

And Burley's MP Philip Davies has criticised the government for its failure to fit aircraft with the foam despite the fact that the RAF had said it was needed five years ago.

Armed forces minister Adam Ingram was forced to admit last November that only two aircraft had been fitted with the foam at that stage.

Flt Lt Stead's parents have been among those calling for speedy measures to help ensure the safety of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The couple, who live in Burley-in-Wharfedale, are still waiting for a date to be set for the inquest into the death of their son and of his nine colleagues.

But Mr Stead revealed they were hoping the pre-inquest review would be held shortly.

He said the barrister working on their behalf was hoping the pre-inquest review would go ahead in Trowbridge, in Wiltshire, sometime in February, although no date has been set as yet.

Then the families will face another wait before the full inquest is finally conducted.

Speaking on the second anniversary of his son's death Mr Stead said the families had already been told at the board of inquiry that none of the air crew or servicemen on board were to blame for the accident.

He said two years after his son's death the pain was as intense as ever.

"I have just had one of the other families on the phone. One of the relatives was passing on her sympathies and she was in shedloads of tears."

"It is still as raw today as it was two years ago," he said.

"A bereavement at any time in one's life is hard enough to get over, and obviously each one has different circumstances. Ours was a real tragedy - not just for us but for the other families and for the nation."