THE mother of murdered York backpacker Caroline Stuttle has told how the dramatic developments in the Peter Falconio murder hunt have brought painful memories flooding back.

Speaking exactly six months after Caroline was killed while travelling in Australia, Marjorie Stuttle also revealed how the foundation set up in her daughter's name has now raised £8,000.

And she said she was to plant a tree in Caroline's memory at York's Coppergate Centre next week, donated by shopping centre manager and friend Di Dixon.

The Pyrus cal Chanticleer flowering pear tree will blossom with white flowers each April, around the anniversary of her daughter's death. Mrs Stuttle will plant it near the banks of the River Foss at the back of the shopping centre at 11am next Thursday.

Caroline, 19, from Huntington, York, died on April 10. Police believe she was robbed and then pushed 30ft off a bridge in Bundaberg.

Peter Falconio, from Huddersfield, was killed in the Australian outback in July last year but his body has still not been found.

Detectives investigating his murder made a major breakthrough earlier this week with the discovery that DNA taken from a rape suspect matches blood found on the clothes of Mr Falconio's girlfriend Joanne Lees, also from Huddersfield. Australian prosecutors were today debating whether Bradley Murdoch should be tried first on separate double rape charges.

Mrs Stuttle said she did not believe there was any connection between the incidents involving her daughter and Mr Falconio.

But she said the news from Australia had still brought back painful memories, as did any news stories involving the disappearance or murder of children, including the Soham killings in the summer.

"I just feel the parents' pain," she said, adding that the strain in cases where the bodies had not been found must be even worse because of the uncertainty and waiting involved.

"At least I was able to bring Caroline's body back to England."

She said she was making good and steady progress in setting up Caroline's Rainbow Foundation, which aims to help other backpackers who get into difficulties while travelling abroad.

She said it was in the lengthy process of applying to be a registered charity, and now had its own telephone number, 01759 304425. About £8,000 had been raised so far, and her aim was to collect £20,000 to get the foundation under way.

"I am taking it steadily. I want to ensure I get it right," she said.

Her first aim was for the Foundation to be able to give instant help to backpackers who were unable to pay for a night's accommodation after being attacked abroad.

She said flowers were still being laid at Caroline's grave and offers of help were still coming in. "The love and support of everybody helps me get through every day."

Updated: 14:59 Friday, October 11, 2002