The family of Colchester mother-to-be Andrea Dykes, who was killed in a nailbomb attack, are calling on the Government to fund help for bereaved relatives.

Mrs Dykes, 27, was in a Soho pub with her husband Julian, 25, and friends celebrating her pregnancy when the bomb went off in April 1999. She and friends John Light and Nik Moore were killed in the blast.

Nailbomber David Copeland later received a life sentence for their murders and two other attacks.

Now Mrs Dykes' mother Frances Hogg and sister Natalie have joined the Victims of Crime Trust's call for the Government to give more support to victims such as themselves.

The Victims of Crime Trust aims to provide care and assistance for families who have been bereaved as a result of murder.

A letter signed by members of bereaved families will be delivered to the Prime Minister later this week.

It calls for the appointment of a minister for victims, the provision of trauma counselling for families and funding for the trust.

Andrea's family could not be contacted for comment.

Published Tuesday, February 19, 2002