THE family of schoolteacher Gwen Mayor who died in the Dunblane massacre say they are disgusted that Conservative MPs refused to support a ban on handguns.

Gwen's mother-in-law, Mrs Frances Mayor, of Great Harwood, spoke out after six Tories on the all-party home affairs committee over-ruled five Labour MPs who backed the ban.

Mrs Mayor, who lives with her husband, Tom, in Green Street, warned: "It will happen again, so be it on their consciences."

Gwen, who grew up in Great Harwood, was murdered alongside 16 children by crazed gunman Thomas Hamilton.

Mrs Mayor said: "My dear daughter-in-law and those 16 tiny tots would still be here today if guns had not been so easily accessible to people like Thomas Hamilton.

"A lot of distress and heartbreak would never have been.

"We are disgusted that this Conservative committee have voted against the Dunblane Snowdrop petition and all who think this way."

Prime Minister John Major will wait for the report of Lord Cullen's Dunblane inquiry before making a final decision on a ban.

She said:"We pray the Cullen inquiry report will turn the tables on them.

"Then the thousands of people who did support the ban on handguns will get their desire for a more peaceful and safe environment."

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