THE devastated family of cancer victim Carole LeMaistre today spoke of their shock after discover-ing she shunned conventional treat-ment and instead had alternative therapy administered by her estranged husband.

Her mother, Alice Lord, of Levengreave Court, Shaw-forth, spoke after learning that Carole's husband, Alain-Denis LeMaistre, was now being investigated by police.

It emerged that Mr LeMaistre, 58, who runs a clinic in Burnley Road, Todmorden, had been treating his wife for cancer but had no formal qualifications, despite calling himself a doctor.

Alice said: "It hurts to think about what she was going through. I'm glad the police are investigating.

"The first I knew of her illness was when it was reported in the paper. It was all so sudden "I went to the hospital the day before she died and she was in a lot of pain. She wasn't awake but I think she knew I was there.

"It was very hard to see her like that she was just skin and bone and very dehydrated.

"Carole was very intelligent and a very happy person. She was easily influenced but we know that she went into this with her eyes open."

Her sister Jackie Walker, who moved from Rossendale to South Africa 28 years ago, described Carole, 42, who lived in Bacup, as a dedicated mother to her three children.

She said: "The whole family is very upset. We have to respect that Carole was a grown woman and made her own choices but that doesn't make it any easier.

"She was a dedicated mother and did everything for her children they meant the world to her."

An inquest into Carole's death was opened and adjourned.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Baptist Church, Bacup tomorrow at 11am.