A PSYCHIC medium has visited Billinge to record a special TV programme highlighting the continuing search for the body of Helen McCourt. Murder victim Helen's remains have never been found bringing 16 years of untold torment for her devoted mother.

Television medium Tony Stockwell met with Helen's mother, Marie, 61, as part of 'The Psychic Detective' being filmed for digital station Living TV.

He will search for the body of Helen, who was last seen alive in February 1988, walking home in Billinge.

Programme makers contacted Marie over the 16-year search for her daughter's body, and though previous attempts with psychics have failed, she agreed to take part.

For the programme, to be screened on Dec 7, Stockwell has taken readings from Marie, retraced the final steps of Helen's last sighting, and studied a painting apparently created by Ian Simms, the pub landlord convicted of murdering Helen. From the results of Stockwell's readings a computerised image of the possible location where Helen's remains could be will be produced and he will then visit potential locations.

Parole bid

Marie, who has scoured land in Billinge and Wigan searching for Helen's body, said: "He also suggested there could be the word 'mile' in the place name and the letter W. We've been trying to come up with possible areas and someone suggested an area in Winstanley called the Two Mile Stretch."

Meanwhile, Marie has also been informed that Simms' latest parole bid has been turned down. He became eligible for parole consideration this year after completing his 16th year behind bars. It is understood Simms appeared before a parole board panel in October for an appeal hearing after an initial application was rejected.

Despite substantial DNA evidence, the former George and Dragon landlord has always maintained his innocence.

He has previously seen an application for the case to go the Independent Criminal Case Review Commission rejected.

Marie, who sent a letter to the parole board asking for his parole bid to be rejected, said: "I'm still nowhere nearer this man accepting what he did and facing up to his conviction. I feel he should stay in prison."