The family of a young woman shot dead outside Bexleyheath police station nearly 17 years ago has expressed "relief" at coming a step closer to finding out exactly how she died.

Sabina Rizvi, 25, was killed in the early hours of March 20 2003 outside the police station on Arnsberg Way.

In 2004, Paul Asbury, then aged 22, was convicted of her murder and the police watchdog went on to produce a report in 2011.

On Monday, assistant coroner Angela Rafferty pledged a "thorough and detailed investigation" but warned an inquest would not establish "criminal liability".

At a pre-inquest hearing at the Old Bailey attended by Ms Rizvi's mother Iffat, Ms Rafferty offered her condolences, saying: "I know you have waited for this inquest for many years."

The court heard a full inquest, likely to be heard by a jury, would be set at a future date, with a further pre-inquest hearing in the spring.

Speaking outside court afterwards, family solicitor Anna Moore said: "Sabina was shot outside a police station in 2003.

"A man has been convicted of that crime but there has never been an investigation into the full circumstances of her death, whether there was involvement of anyone else and what happened at the police station.

"My client has been fighting for years, ever since Sabina's death in 2003, for an investigation into her death. They are relieved this is starting.

"There has never been an investigation into how Sabina came to her death. They are looking for answers. They want to know what happened to their loved one and what happened on the night she died.

"There was an indication this case is likely to be heard by a jury, which is what the family are asking for."

Ms Moore said the "tragic" case had taken its toll on the family, adding: "They have been fighting for many, many years. It's a long process and it's not over yet."