A DETERMINED Catshill couple fighting to keep their son's killer behind bars are taking their battle to the top after receiving thousands of letters of support - thanks to your No.1 newspaper.

Tony and Sue Edmonston made an appeal through the Advertiser-/Messenger two months ago when they found out their son's killer could be freed.

Steven Edmonston was just ten-years-old when the man he called 'uncle' beat him before subjecting him to a terrifying sex ordeal and finally stabbing him through the heart.

Bernard Macanaspie, who lived next door to the couple in Harlow, in Essex, at the time was jailed for life in 1981 with the recommendation he serve at least 20 years.

Before being netted by police, Macanaspie helped the unsuspecting family search for Steven's body, took their two daughters out for meals and comforted Sue and Tony.

Now 20 years have passed, the couple fear the killer may apply to a special panel for freedom and could trick the judges into believing he should be released just as he foiled them.

Sue and Tony wanted to send as many letters to the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and Home Secretary, David Blunkett, as soon as possible calling for life to mean life in certain circumstances.

The Steven Edmonston Campaign, launched through the Advertiser, has sparked national interest as newspapers as far afield as London sent letters from their readers onto us.

Tony said: "One petition had 8,000 names.

"We would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support."

Letters and petitions can still be sent to: Steven Edmonston Campaign, c/o Advertiser/Messenger, 5 High Street, Bromsgrove B61 8AJ.