THE sister of murdered drugs baron Peter Beaumont-Gowling has described how his family was still struggling to come to terms with his death, a year after he was gunned down in cold blood.

Wendy Maher was speaking as she prepared to mark the first anniversary of his execution - and as detectives revealed they were closing in on those responsible.

Ms Maher said: "Peter's death came only three weeks after he was released from prison. We were all feeling quite relieved that he had got that far and were hopeful for the future.

"For it to have happened in this way was just devastating to us all. We are still taking it one day at a time."

Mr Beaumont-Gowling, from Trimdon, County Durham, was shot at his home in Osborne Road, Jesmond, shortly after 2pm on Valentine's Day last year.

He was hit a number of times at close range by rounds from small calibre handgun, suffering fatal wounds to his head, chest and back.

The flamboyant cocaine baron had just finished serving four years of an 11-year prison sentence for his part in a £2.5m money laundering scam.

The former restaurateur, who once ran Perry's nightclub in Darlington and the town's Buzz bar, worked at international hotels before descending into the world of drugs.

Ms Maher, who knew nothing of his criminal lifestyle until his arrest, said: "When I spoke to him two days before he died he was finding it quite difficult adjust to life out of prison. He seemed a bit quieter."

She said that her mother, Sally Gowling, who was 81 on Tuesday, was finding it particularly difficult to cope.

Head of the investigation, Detective Superintendent Derek Storey, said last night: "I want to reassure the public that there has been no reduction in the manpower involved.

"Although the case may not always be in the public eye a lot of work still goes on behind the scenes.

"At the outset there were numerous lines of inquiry, but over time we have eliminated many of them."

He added: "As a result, the inquiry is much more focused and I am confident we will ultimately catch those responsible for this callous act."

Detectives are still looking for information on two men with hoods pulled over their heads, who were seen on security television, as well as vehicles seen in the area.

A reward of up to £25,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Anyone with information has been asked to call (01661) 872555 ext 62512.