A 22-year-old mother died just hours after giving birth to twins because doctors were forbidden from giving her a blood transfusion as a Jehovah's Witness.

Emma Gough's family, including her Jehovah's Witness husband, Anthony, 24, refused to overrule her wishes and she died after losing blood.

Mr Gough was reported to be looking after the couple's twin boy and girl at his home in Telford, Shropshire, following the tragedy at the Royal Hospital in Shrewsbury on October 25.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe the bible explicitly bans its followers from receiving blood, even in an emergency.

Peter Welsh, the couple's best man when they married two years ago, told the Sun: "Everybody is devastated by what has happened.

"We can't believe she died in childbirth in this day and age, with all the technology there is. What makes it even more sad is Emma had time to hold and start to bond with her twins before complications set in."

He added: "Anthony is in pieces."

Terry Lovejoy, a spokesman for Jehovah's Witnesses in Telford, said today that the local religious community had offered support to the bereaved family.

He said: "We are supporting the family - they are going through a very difficult time and we understand their grief."

The hospital had refused to discuss the case and it is not yet known why Mrs Gough died.

An inquest into the death has been opened and adjourned, according to the coroner's department in Shrewsbury.