Picture Ref: 77733-87WIDOW Carol Harding admits her life is still in tatters nearly two years after her husband died in a road accident.

The 51-year-old, of Severn Avenue, Greenmeadow, said that the pain caused by the loss of her husband, Barry, was still as raw as ever.

The lorry driver died in August 2003 when his camper van collided with the back of a lorry in a lay-by on the A38 near Ply-mouth.

He was returning from a holiday in Cornwall with his wife who suffered nine cracked ribs, a punctured lung and broken collarbone in the accident.

She said that because of the tragedy she could no longer face a trip back to the popular holiday spot.

"It has been very hard coping with everything," said Mrs Harding. "It is still very raw. My world fell apart when he died and it is still in pieces.

"I wish my husband was still alive and there for me when I get home. I go to the cemetery in Whitworth Road on our wedding anniversary, his birthday and on the anniversary of the accident. He was really popular and a lot of people still miss him. They can't believe he went in the way he did."

Mrs Harding, who was unconscious in hospital for days, said she still has no recollection of the crash.

Up until January this year she was receiving treatment from specialist rehab centre Headway in Okus Road because the accident left her with a head injury.

To say a special thank you for the care she received Mrs Harding, who cannot work because of her injuries, organised a skittle evening at the Gorse Hill Working Men's Club which raised £500 for the charity.

"My balance, co-ordination, spelling, memory and concentration were all affected by the accident," she said. "I would say I was about 98 per cent back to normal now but I still need physiotherapy for my side, shoulder and back.

"I want to say a big thank-you for all the treatment I received.

"None of us know if we will be ever involved in an accident so help like this is very precious."

A tireless worker, a father-of-four and grandfather of 13, Mr Harding seldom took a day off and was constantly running errands. Devoted to his dogs, he was described as a gentle giant who would help anybody.

The 51-year-old's funeral was held at St Mary's Church, Cheney Manor.

Ben Payne