THE mother of murdered Southampton mum Belinda Gibson today pledged she would not be forgotten on what would have been her 35th birthday.

Gloria Dunn said her family still lived in hope that Belinda's body would be found after she was brutally killed by her husband and father-in-law.

As reported in the Daily Echo, David and Leslie Gibson strangled the mother-of-five at her home in Purvis Gardens, Sholing, in February 2002, before dumping her body in the Solent, weighed down with a heavy concrete block.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Mrs Dunn, who has two other daughters, said: "Belinda is gone but will never be forgotten.

"There is still hope that we will get her body back so that we can bury it and provide her children with a focal point."

Mrs Dunn, who lives with her husband Martin in West End, added: "If her body is found we will be able to finally hold a funeral service but, even if it isn't, we will organise a memorial service.

"Either way, Belinda will always be remembered."

Members of Belinda's family have bought poppies in her memory, as she had been born on Armistice Day.

Mrs Dunn said prayers would be said for her today.

David and Leslie Gibson denied murdering Belinda but were found guilty by jurors at the end of a six-week trial at Winchester Crown Court in July.

After being convicted, Belinda's husband David, 33, dramatically confessed to dumping her body at sea - but still denied her murder.

Both men are currently serving life sentences. Since their convictions, detectives have been carrying out ongoing inquiries in a bid to trace Belinda's body in the Solent.

Det Sgt Howard Kiley, of Hampshire police's major crime investigation team, said: "We are still hopeful that we may one day be in a position to recover Belinda's body.

"David Gibson has provided some assistance with our search. However, at this stage, it has proved fruitless.

"We will continue to do our best for Belinda's family in the hope that one day Belinda's body will be recovered."