FIVE years is a long time to expect members of the public to keep clear memories of the day Heather Barnett was murdered.

In truth, most of us would find it difficult to recall our precise movements just five days ago.

But the reason why everyone who may have information should cast their minds back to November 12, 2002 comes in the shape of the two children who can never possibly forget that dreadful day.

Caitlin and Terry Barnett - just 11 and 14 at the time - returned home from school to find their mum murdered and her body gruesomely mutilated.

Today, she talks for the first time about that awful moment and it is even more distressing to think that the murderer would have been aware that the two youngsters would have been the first to find their mother's body.

But what must encourage the two children is the fact that police are as determined as ever to find Heather's killer and it is clear that everything will be done to track down the monster who committed this crime.

As well as visiting Italy to appear on their version of TV's Crimewatch, police believe new analysis surrounding the human hair found by Heather's body could provide more pieces towards completing the jigsaw that will reveal the murderer.

It is a truly fascinating case with doubtless many more strands to be revealed as the investigation continues.

But at the centre of it is a woman whose death appeared to have no motive whatsoever and two children looking for closure on a nightmare that has so far lasted a very long five years.