Iraq hostages Jason Swindlehurst and Jason Creswell died from gunshot wounds, an inquest heard.

Mr Creswell, 39, originally from Glasgow, and Mr Swindlehurst, 38, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, were working as security guards when they were kidnapped in Baghdad along with three other Britons.

A group of 40 armed men wearing police uniforms seized the hostages, including IT consultant Peter Moore, from Lincoln, and two guards identified only as Alan from Scotland and Alec from South Wales, at the Iraqi Finance Ministry on May 29, 2007.

Mr Moore was training Iraqi government employees in computer programming and was being protected by the security firm.

An inquest into the deaths of Mr Creswell and Mr Swindlehurst was opened and adjourned during a short hearing at Salisbury Coroners Court.

Coroner David Ridley heard evidence from Detective Constable Inspector Mark Moles, senior investigating officer from the Metropolitan Police's counter terrorism command, who is leading the investigation.

He 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.

Mr Swindlehurst and Mr Creswell were repatriated on June 26 and taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where post-mortem examinations were carried out. The cause of death was recorded as gunshot wounds for both men.

The bodies of Mr Swindlehurst and Mr Creswell bodies were released to their families for burial, who were contacted after the conclusion of today's hearing.

The three other hostages are still missing in Iraq.

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