THE family of a Darwen woman whose body was found in a French lake are preparing to appear as witnesses at her husband's murder trial.

And Lancashire Telegraph picture editor Neil Johnson and former reporter Clare Cook have also been issued with subpoenas as 'indispensable' and very important' witnesses.

The pair have been called following the Telegraph's 2003 investigation into the death of Evelyn Lund.

Patricia Kay, Evelyn's daughter, is also among those who have been summonsed to the Cour d'Assises in Albi, France, to give evidence against her stepfather, Robert Lund.

Lund's family, who will also be at the hearing, have spoken of their disgust at the delay in bringing the case to court.

The trial begins on Monday, almost three years after he was arrested and eight years after Rossendale-born Evelyn died.

Evelyn and Lund started their relationship months after her first husband, Burnley building society manager Arthur Taylor, died of cancer in 1991.

The couple left their Winter Hill home in Darwen in August 1997 and moved to a converted farmhouse near Réalmont, in the south of France. Evelyn, 52, disappeared on December 29, 1999.

Her body was discovered in the back of her car, submerged in the Lac de la Bancalie, on October 13, 2001, after a drought caused water levels to fall.

Lund was not arrested until November 2004 and has been held on remand in a prison in Albi since then.

Evelyn's other two daughters, Elizabeth and Vicky, may also be witnesses and may be questioned about the state of the couple's marriage before they left for France.

The family were not able to comment ahead of the trial for legal reasons.

They will be joined in France by Detective Superintendent Steve Brunskill, who helped French police with their investigations.

DS Brunskill said: "I was the senior investigating officer when Lancashire police first became involved in Evelyn's disappearance.

"I will not be attending court as a witness but will be giving my support to Evelyn's family and will also be linking up with the gendarmes who worked on the case."

Lund's brother, Neville, who lives in Rochdale, will be going to France with his wife and daughter. He will visit Lund in prison before the hearing starts and will also spend time with some of his brother's France-based supporters.

Mr Lund has hit out at the time his brother has had to spend behind bars.

He said: "It is disgusting how he has been treated. Robert has been very patient and believes that every dog will have his day, but I think they should have speeded the whole thing up.

"It is ridiculous - we have all been waiting for such a long time for the truth to come out."

The trial is expected to last five days, although French courts will sit on Saturdays and Sundays if there is still evidence to be heard.

Once the jury has retired, members are not allowed to leave until a verdict has been decided.

If Lund is found guilty, sentencing is likely to take place immediately.