Domestic violence lay behind 35 out of the 60 murders that have occurred Cornwall in the past eleven years.

Thirty five balloons have been released in Penzance to mark each murder as part of National Domestic Violence Week.

There has been a 70% rise in domestic violence incidents in Devon in five years to 14,500 last year, police figures have revealed.

It's going to be with us for the rest of our lives Paul Barrett

Janet and Paul Barrett from Camborne in Cornwall lost their daughter Janine who was strangled by her estranged husband after a history of abuse.

Mr Barrett said: "It's hard, do doubt about it. Birthdays come and go and no daughter, no Janine.

"Christmas is barren. We're retired and we were looking forward to a nice family life, but part of our family's gone now.

"It's going to be with us for the rest of our lives."

Devon and Cornwall Police say that it is taking the issue seriously and working with domestic violence forums in Devon and Cornwall to target potential trouble.