A TROWBRIDGE woman braved the cameras last week and went on television to tell the nation the story of how her granddaughter was brutally murdered in 1997.

Ann Hamilton was invited to take part in an episode of Kilroy on BBC1 which went out on air last Thursday morning.

In the programme she said she would never be able to forgive her granddaughter's killer.

A specially chosen panel of guests were asked to share their stories and to discuss whether a sentence for life in prison should really mean life.

Mrs Hamilton's granddaughter, Zoe, was strangled by her stepfather Miles Evans in 1997.

He was later convicted of murder but the Home Secretary has yet to set a tariff for how long he will spend in prison.

The Wiltshire Times launched a petition appealing for the tariff to be set which carried hundreds of signatures and was handed to the Home Secretary in July by west Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison.

Zoe's family have always maintained they want to know how long he will be behind bars so they can have peace of mind.

Mrs Hamilton said: "When I first got the letter from the producer asking me if I would like to take part I was really nervous and thought I would not do it but after talking to friends I changed my mind.

"Kilroy spoke to me for quite a long time and I said I thought life in prison should definitely mean life in prison.

"I had to say what happened to Zoe and I did not cry or stutter or anything and for some reason once I was there I was not nervous I enjoyed telling my story in a way.

"It was strange meeting so many other people who had stories like mine to tell.

"There were lots of people taking part in the show with really strong feelings and some who wanted the death penalty to be brought back."

Zoe's family are among 550 in the UK still waiting to find out about sentences.

Mrs Hamilton had a letter from Dr Murrison waiting for her at home when she got back from the studios saying he would keep up the pressure on the Home Office to set a tariff for Evans' jail sentence.

Mrs Hamilton said: "If going on the television has helped get publicity for the case then I am pleased."