A hearing to determine whether a woman injured in a hotel explosion can seek damages has been postponed until 2014.

Barmaid Danielle Ormond suffered multiple injuries, including a collapsed lung, fractured vertebrae in her neck and back and post-traumatic stress disorder, after the Drumtochty Arms, Auchenblae, near Stonehaven, was destroyed by a blast more than three years ago.

Ms Ormond was one of three people seriously injured in the incident in January 2009 and is seeking a six-figure sum in compensation from the hotel’s owner and the gas contractor who was in the building at the time.

The proof hearing, which will take place at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, is expected to last for four dates.

Original dates set down for this week have been discharged.

The hearing will look at the evidence to make sure there is a case to answer before it proceeds to a civil trial.

Chris Gordon, who represents Ms Ormond, has previously said his client could potential receive a six-figure sum if the case is successful.

The action is against Instant Catering Maintenance and the Drumtochty Castle, owners of the Drumtochty Arms.

The hotel was owned by Charles Anderson, who lives in Canada, who also owns Drumtochty Castle and the Tor-na-Coille Hotel at Banchory.

The remains of the hotel were demolished following the explosion.

The Health and Safety Executive submitted a report on the incident to the procurator fiscal in May 2010 but they have yet to decide on whether criminal charges will be brought.

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