THE relatives of the North-East's only known victim of the September 11 terror attacks may be eligible for up to £27,000 compensation.

Last night, the family's police liaison officer, Paul Rogerson, said victim Gavin McMahon's family was too traumatised to even consider the matter.

But the girlfriend of County Durham born insurance executive Gavin, who was on the 99th floor of the World Trade Centre Tower Two, said she thought the development was a good idea.

The Government's Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority has reviewed the previous policy that an accident or injury would have to occur in Britain or on British property for compensation to be awarded.

That means relatives who suffered mental injury as a result of watching the attacks on live TV in Britain could now be eligible for compensation.

Yesterday, DC Rogerson revealed Gavin's mother and father, Linda, 69, and Terry, 68, of Chester-le-Street, had only just returned from New York earlier in the day.

The couple had been in New York for their 35-year-old son's funeral last Wednesday.

He said: "There has been no consideration given to any claim for compensation."

Gavin's girlfriend, Bridget Fitzpatrick, a New York lawyer, stressed she could not speak on behalf of his family. But she said: "Anything that might make life a little easier should, of course, be done."