JULIE Westmore, the cousin of murdered Highworth mother Linda Razzell, has spoken for the first time about how her heartache continues as she struggles to come to terms with the loss.

Mrs Westmore and her sister Beverley Lewis are today caring for Linda's four children at their home in Wales, juggling that with work and managing their own lives.

Exactly a week ago the sisters, Linda's two brothers Neil and Graham Davies, and Linda's boyfriend, Greg Worrall, were at Bristol Crown Court to see Linda's estranged husband Glyn sentenced to life imprisonment for her murder.

Opening her heart for the first time since Linda vanished on March 19 2002, Mrs Westmore told the Evening Advertiser how her memory lives on in the children and how she is proud to be their surrogate mother.

She said: "The emotion that we have all been burying for such a long time is now bubbling up to the surface. It's hard to deal with and to face the pain, but we must face it so that we can recover and move on.

"We have wonderful memories of Linda to sustain us. She was special she had a talent for connecting with people whatever their status. She was a warm person, great company and saw the funny side to everything.

"Through all our difficulties she always kept smiling. She had a lovely laugh and we all miss her terribly, but Linda lives on in her children and it's my pleasure to be their substitute mum.

"It's what Linda would have wanted and I will do my best for them.

"Thank you for your kindness to us over the last few weeks."

Mrs Westmore and her family travelled to Bristol every day for the five-week trial and afterwards made a point of thanking the Advertiser for its sensitive reporting of the case.

But even after seeing Razzell sentenced to life imprisonment the family had some stinging words to say about the justice system.

On the court steps Mrs Westmore said: "Linda's greatest fear was leaving her children without a mother and Glyn Razzell knew this. He assaulted Linda on a number of occasions. A previous jury gave Glyn Razzell the benefit of the doubt and so fuelled him to believe he could get away with murder.

"We have discovered, at our cost, that the present justice system is not one that anybody should be proud of. It has taken 18-months for this case to come to court.

"Glyn Razzell was allowed bail and while he had his freedom four children lived in fear. The youngest was unable to sleep at night, wishing he were dead so he could escape his memories.

"We have sat for five weeks watching an archaic and tedious process called justice, a system that encouraged Glyn Razzell to play the justice game the roulette wheel of justice.

"We have a system that is more concerned with points of law that it is in discovering the truth. The people of this country, who pay for this service, deserve better. Thank you to the many wonderful people who have helped and supported us you know who you are."