The mother of a British teenager murdered while backpacking in Australia has spoken about her heartbreak.

Talking publicly for the first time since the death of 19-year-old Caroline Stuttle in April, Marjorie Stuttle told the BBC she was sure the killer would be found.

The teenager, from York, died after falling 30 feet from a bridge in Bundaberg, Queensland, while on a backpacking trip around Australia.

Police believe she was followed by a man who attacked her and in the struggle she fell or was pushed to her death.

'Worst nightmare'

Mrs Stuttle said not being able to protect her daughter when she was in danger was very hard to take.

"Although I spoke to her a few times a week just not being there to protect her was any mother's worst nightmare and that has been very, very hard.

"Although I didn't want to stop her, her dreams were to travel.

"It broke my heart that I wasn't there with her," she said.

The teenager was attacked as she returned to a caravan park where she was staying with her 19-year-old schoolfriend and travelling companion, Sarah Holiday.

Mrs Stuttle cannot face visiting the bridge

Both the teenager's father, Alan, and brother, Richard, have visited the spot where the murder took place but Mrs Stuttle said was not up to the trip.

"It was very reassuring that Richard went over there.

"It helped him, but it's too difficult for me to face at the moment.

"I haven't been able to watch any television or read any papers to even see the bridge where she lost her life."

But she is sure the culprit will be traced.

"My inner feeling is that he will be caught because it's touched so many people because of the strong feeling between the two countries."

The family are setting up a website, as part of a foundation in Caroline's memory, to help backpackers around the world who have been robbed.