A BITTER war of words erupted in a Trowbridge street as a grieving family laid flowers at the spot where mother-of-two Lizzie Cooper was knifed to death.

Relatives of 23-year-old Miss Cooper were horrified when flowers and heartfelt tributes left outside the house at 57 Longfield Road, marking the first anniversary of her death, were dumped outside their door.

Police officers were called to the scene on Monday, May 6, as Lizzie's family confronted knife-attack victim Kevin York and his mother Christine, who moved the flowers from the pavement less than two hours after they were laid down.

Mother Pearl Cooper, 59, who was in tears after laying the floral tribute to her murdered daughter, found the tributes scattered on her doorstep.

The cruel blow comes just five days after brothers Jason Lee and Timothy Seviour were sentenced to life imprisonment for their frenzied knife attack on Lizzie Cooper last May.

Lizzie's sister, Teresa Cooper, 28, who has not set foot in Longfield Road since her sister's murder said: "My sister is dead and there is no way she is coming back. It was heartbreaking to have the flowers moved. This was where she died.

"I have not been down the road since my sister was killed but I had to know the flowers were in their proper place. I was shaking and felt sick as I saw the house. It is a cruel act."

Mr York's mother Christine told the family not to lay the flowers as it reminded her son of the double stabbing last May.

She said: "It is not a graveyard. My Kevin is going through hell and doesn't want the flowers outside his house."

Police officers were scrambled to the scene as tempers threatened to boil over.

Officers placed the flowers back outside Mr York's house on condition they were moved by Tuesday morning.

Pearl Cooper was joined by her son David, 20, and grandson Tristan, seven, as she laid the flowers.

She said: "We want to remember Lizzie and laying the flowers is a mark of respect.

"I will never forget her and have a photo of her beside the bed which I kiss every night.

"It has been a terrible year. The trial is over but the painful memories will never end."