MARIE McCourt has spent years searching for her daughter’s body – and on Saturday, the eve of what would have been Helen’s 53rd birthday – she hopes others will join her in ensuring Helen’s killer never walks free.

Helen McCourt, from Billinge was murdered on February 9, 1988 – and despite George and Dragon pub landlord Ian Simms being jailed for the crime – he has never admitted what he did or where Helen’s body is.

Her mum Marie, 74, has been campaigning for a new law to be adopted, which would mean convicted murderers who refuse to reveal the whereabouts of their victims’ bodies would remain behind bars.

It is to be called Helen’s Law in her daughter’s memory.

However she needs people to sign a petition to bring it to the attention of Parliament, so on Saturday, July 28, Marie will be in Church Square in St Helens handing out yellow ribbons to spread awareness of the campaign.

Gran-of-two Marie said: “This law is more important than me being able to give Helen a proper burial because she won’t be forgotten if her name means others won’t face what I have.

“My idea is that if people come out and get a ribbon and tie it to a tree outside their home, their pram, or anything, then people will ask what it is for then people will ask about them and look up the campaign and sign the petition.

“Without this law, killers can take lives at random and hide the body knowing they can be free after serving a minimum tariff. I want to save other families from going through the torture Ian Simms insists on putting me through by not telling me where my Helen is.”

Mayor of St Helens, Cllr Pat Ireland, added: “As a mother myself, my heart aches for Marie. It must be agonising not being able to grieve properly, not knowing where your child’s body is buried.

“That’s why I’m fully supportive of the Helen’s Law campaign which I sincerely hope becomes instated so that no other family has to go through such a traumatic ordeal like this.”

n To sign the petition go to bit.ly/2DXRwWb