AS the 20th anniversary of Helen McCourt's disappearance draws close, her mother says she will never give up hoping that her daughter's remains will one day be found.

This Saturday (Feb 9) marks two decades since Helen, aged 22 and from Billinge, went missing on a stormy winter's night.

In what became the town's most notorious crime of modern times, George and Dragon pub landlord Ian Simms was subsequently jailed for her murder.

Forensic evidence at the trial suggested the attractive insurance clerk was attacked at the pub, on Main Street, Billinge, before her body was bundled into a car. Where her body was then disposed of, however, has always remained a mystery.

This week, Helen's mother Marie, 64, from Standish Avenue, Billinge, said: "I still need now as much as I ever did for Helen's remains to be found. I would not be able to keep going from day to day if I did not believe she would be found.

"I just hope, that as it is the 20th anniversary, her killer will stand up and take notice of how long he has served in prison and maybe start to think 'I could have been out a long time ago if I had said where Helens is'."

In the aftermath of Helen's disappearance in 1988, hundreds joined in searches for her body. The official operations ultimately concluded, but Marie's quest went on as she searched landscapes across the north west at weekends.

These days, the searches are not as frequent, but if the anguished mother is told about a secluded area where, as she says a "car could have been parked and a body hidden", she will still make a visit.

She desperately seeks to find Helen's remains and give her a Christian burial.

Marie added: "Just before Christmas and just after (in Billinge and Widnes) there were occasions when it was thought remains had been found and I wondered 'could it be Helen?'.

"A soon as that happens my heart is in my mouth. I still check the news every morning in the hope that it says 'workmen have found remains'.

"The remains of bodies have been found after 30 to 40 years, so it does happen. I will never give up, my son Michael won't and my husband John won't.

"It's 20 years now - that's almost as long as Helen lived. It just seems so cruel and nothing will take away the pain. I want to be able just to go and put flowers on her grave.

"Then I will still be able to do the basic parenting of looking after your child's grave. She added: "Helen had such a bubbly personality and caring side to her. She was no saint - I'm not saying that - like any other child she could be a bit naughty. But she just had such a caring nature.

"I often look back at some of the pictures and see that smile of hers, but it is not a case of remembering, I cannot forget."

Ian Simms, now aged in his early 50s, has always maintained his innocence. He has served more than 19 years in prison for Helen McCourt's murder and an application for parole was rejected last year.

In 2003, an application for his case to be referred to the Court of Appeal was rejected by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Meanwhile, a service to mark the 20th anniversary of Helen's death will take place at Birchley St Mary's church, Trent Road, Billinge at 6pm on Saturday.

  • Marie McCourt is a co-ordinator of the Merseyside Support After Murder and Manslaughter group. Local families, who have lost a loved one under such circumstances, can ring the group's support line on 0151 207 6767.