FRIENDS and relatives of Hampshire murder victim Davina Harris have praised the decision to bulldoze her fire-ravaged home.

Contractors are demolishing the house at Ash Close, Hythe, where Miss Harris died in a blaze started by her violent boyfriend in May 1998.

Families living in nearby houses have spent the past three years campaigning for the blackened and boarded-up property to be torn down.

They said the charred house was a constant reminder of Miss Harris's violent death.

The adjoining property is occupied by Mandy Willshire, who was at home when the blaze started and heard her friend calling for help.

Miss Willshire said: "Living next door to the house since the fire has been a nightmare.

"I can't go in or out of my own home without catching sight of the burnt-out property where Davina died three years ago.

"Her two children live just around the corner in Maple Road and also see it every day of their lives. The council were going to do it up but residents raised a petition calling for the property to be pulled down."

Plans to bulldoze the house were given the green light in August 1999.

Councillors said it should make way for an access road to new homes due to be built between Ash Close and Butts Ash Avenue, but the housing scheme was put on hold and Miss Harris's former home remained, much to the dismay of her friends and relatives.

Earlier this year councillors said the property should be torn down without any further delay.

Miss Harris's boyfriend, Ian Houliston, who was convicted of starting the fire, is serving a life sentence for murder.