A KIDDERMINSTER-based author is piecing together memories of a popular woman who was brutally murdered during the Second World War.

American author, Elizabeth Ashley-Ruffin, of Waterside Grange, who lives with her English husband, Derek, believes she might be related to Florrie Porter, who was killed in Bromsgrove in 1944, and wants to pay tribute to her.

Florrie Porter, an office clerk, was stabbed outside Lickey End School, just a stone's throw from her home in Littleheath Lane, Lickey End.

She had been on her way home from a town centre pub where she had been seen having a drink with an American GI. He was never found and the crime has remained unsolved.

Elizabeth became interested in Florrie's story because her great-grandmother's surname was also Porter and her family moved to America from England in the early 1700s.

She has been researching the crime and Florrie's life for a book titled Remembering Florrie, which is due out in late spring.

Elizabeth, with the help of her husband, has trailed through old newspapers and documents in libraries and internet records, as well as collecting memories of Florrie from people who knew her.

The historian has spoken to people who lived near Florrie and worked with her at the Austin plant in Longbridge as well as the man who found Florrie's body. At the time, he was only seven years old.

She said: "I have talked to so many lovely people in the Midlands who have talked about what happened to them in the war and the death of this lady. She was a very popular young lady. She died a very senseless murder. It saddened my heart that she was only 33.

"Murders don't occur often in Bromsgrove or Kidderminster and during the war it was practically unheard of. I think that's the reason people remember it."

The BBC has picked up on her mission and it will be the subject of an edition of BBC 1 programme Inside Out.

Elizabeth has been filmed in Kidderminster and Bromsgrove with producer, Matthew Gull, doing her research and the author said it was expected to air on Monday.

Florrie's grave in Bromsgrove has remained unmarked for 60 years and Elizabeth hopes to use the money from the sale of her book to buy a memorial stone.

She said: "I have worked on this for so long, I just hope Florrie would be pleased with the way it has worked out."

Elizabeth, who has lived in Kidderminster for six years, has always had a love of history and had been researching her ancestors before starting the book, which she began five years ago.

Her previous publications are The Summer of Our Rebellion and two cookbooks, which contain recipes and historical information.

She is still keen to hear from anyone who remembers Florrie or heard of her while growing up and can be contacted on 01562 862897.