ONE year on from the shocking murder of his daughter, Alan Stuttle today revealed plans to "follow his dream" and help other youngsters follow theirs.

The 64-year-old York artist said he had been inspired by the adventurous spirit of Caroline to sell his gallery in Micklegate and use the proceeds to travel the world.

He plans to paint the Seven Wonders of the World before returning to set up a trust fund that will provide financial support for other teenagers wanting to travel.

Caroline Stuttle, a former York College student, was murdered 12 months ago while on a gap year backpacking trip in Australia with her best friend, Sarah Holiday.

Police say the 19-year-old was robbed and thrown from a 65ft bridge in Bundaberg, 200 miles north of Brisbane, suffering fatal head and spinal injuries. She had briefly left a caravan park to call her boyfriend in the UK from a phone box.

Ian Douglas Previte, a 30-year-old Australian, has been charged with Caroline's murder following a painstaking inquiry by Queensland detectives, which included mass DNA testing.

Alan, and his ex-wife Marjorie, say they will not attend the impending court case as the pain would be too much. Committal proceedings take place on April 29.

"It has been the worst year imaginable," Alan told the Evening Press.

"Something has certainly changed within me. I'm much more aware of looking at things through Caroline's eyes.

"I would now like to help other youngsters follow their dreams of travel and make something positive come out of this."

Caroline's mother Marjorie said she was spending today at home in Pocklington with her partner David Marks and 25-year-old son Richard.

She, too, has been inspired to help others by setting up Caroline's Rainbow Foundation, which aims to help other backpackers who get into trouble. It was recently awarded charitable status and thousands of pounds have already been raised.

"It's a way forward to help ease my grief," she said.

"Caroline touched so many lives. I know it's what she would have wanted."

Meanwhile, flowers were being laid by the people of Bundaberg today at a tree planted in Caroline's memory.

Updated: 11:17 Thursday, April 10, 2003