THE husband of a former Darwen woman who mysteriously disappeared in France eight months ago today insisted: "I didn't kill her!"

Robert Lund, 48, spoke to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph after claiming a series of rumours and accusations had linked him to the disappearance of his wife Evelyn last December.

He said he had been the victim of numerous character assassinations after police held him for 24 hours of questioning earlier this year.

Speaking from the couple's converted barn outside Albi, near Toulouse, in the South of France, Mr Lund said: "I am not guilty. I fully understand why people may be pointing the finger at me. Logically thinking I was the only one here when she disappeared, an at the end of the day it happens.

"Nobody has made anoutright accusation because that would be a matter for the courts, although some reports in newspapers and magazines have been flying very close to the wind."

Evelyn's daughter Patricia Taylor, 30, of Franklin Road, Witton, Blackburn, and other relatives have been left frustrated by lack of progress in finding Mrs Lund, who they believe has been murdered.

Patricia, herself a mother, severed all links with Mr Lund, who once worked as a tree protection officer for Blackburn Council, after he was taken in for questioning.

But he said: "I have no idea where Evelyn is and I am not prepared to stoop to a public slanging match with other members of the family.

"You can't begin to imagine what it is like to have a hole in your life with nothing to fill it.

"I left a reasonable job in Blackburn to come here and I have been forced to take anything just to pay the bills. It isn't easy."

He said he felt "loss, helplessness and emptiness" after his wife's disappearance.

And he added: "What has happened has been sensationalised by the media, to try and make it something it's not, which doesn't help.

"Just this week there has been another character assassination in a British women's magazine."

Evelyn, 53, was last seen on December 29 after spending an afternoon at the home of English friends.

She was driving a Toyota Landcrusier, which is still missing.

Mrs Lund left her home in Winter Hill, Darwen, four years ago with Robert, her second husband.

The couple, who married six years ago, started a new life in the picturesque area with Evelyn's beloved animals.

Patricia said: "We know there is a full team in France working on her disappearance. "All we can do is wait for news. We have been told they won't give up until they find her."

Mr Lund, now a full time builder, added: "I have heard nothing at all. It seems the police investigation is almost being conducted in secret.

"I am completely in the dark.

"I have had to get a full time job as a builder to keep things going. I get up at 5.30am every day now to feed the animals before I go to work.

"All the same possibilities about what may have happened to her remain but I feel she's either just left, committed suicide, had an accident or been murdered. Even the police have stated they are keeping open minds."