THE family of a North-East woman killed in a Turkish bomb blast have united with other families to call for more support from the authorities.

Helyn Bennett's family is lobbying the Government to introduce a tourism tax to create a compensation fund for British victims of terrorism abroad.

The 23-year-old, from Spennymoor, County Durham, was one of five people killed in the blast in Kusadasi on July 16 last year.

Four other members of her family were seriously injured as they travelled to the beach on a minibus that was ripped apart by the bomb.

Miss Bennett's mother, Sharon Holden, 41, said: "We've joined the families of British people killed in other overseas attacks to lobby the Government for more support. It's not just for us, but, as foreign security is getting no better, we don't want other families going through the worry and hardship we are.

"If everyone who went on holiday paid an extra £2 on top of their insurance, almost £50m would be raised each year to go into a central pot for these occasions. We've had lots of support from the public so I cannot see people begrudging that."

The family are struggling to pay for ongoing medical costs while unable to work.

Miss Bennett's fiancee, Stephen Stables, 24, of Middlestone Moor, is trying to rebuild his life, despite still having shrapnel lodged in his head.

Her brother, Adam Megoran, 16, had hoped to start a mechanics course at Bishop Auckland College but is still too traumatised to attend. Her aunt, Toni Punshon, 41, and cousin, Sam, 13, both need regular treatment for perforated ears.

Miss Punshon's partner, Micky Aspinall, 51, requires extensive care after losing part of his bowel, suffering a punctured lung and having a metal frame fixed to his leg.

Mrs Holden said she has been forced to return to work as a caterer at Durham University Hospital.

She said: "We've had very little support since we got back to England, and we've really had to fight for everything.

"We are struggling for money, we are all still back and forth to hospitals in Durham and Newcastle, paying for lots of prescriptions and have been off work a long time now.

"I had to go back to work to pay for day-to-day things, I thought I was ready, but I'm really struggling with it. The extra burden of finding enough money to get by is making it harder to recover, physically and mentally."

Last night, there was glimmer of hope for the family as MP for Bishop Auckland Helen Goodman said she was optimistic that a system of support could be established.

She said: "The Government has not taken a final decision on the family's situation, they are considering the problems and ways to help. I am hopeful that, whatever action is taken, it will be in time to help Helyn's family."

Ms Goodman said: "A charitable trust that would not be part of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, which only assists victims of crime in this country, could provide support for people who are the victims of international terrorism.

"That would be a major step forward in my opinion."