WHAT happened to former Bolton woman Merlyn Nuttall, highlighted in this edition and the subject of a Crimewatch TV special tonight, is frightening. A young woman is plucked at random off a London street by a violent rapist and nearly dies in the resulting, horrific attack.

The fact that Merlyn did not succumb to the terrible injuries she sustained would be tribute enough to her strength of character.

But the aftermath of this ordeal, recounted in her book, also shows that equal determination was needed to cope with an uncaring officialdom in her battle to resume a "normal" life.

Her story has already inspired many other women, and aided some of those who have also been victims of attack to recover.

We can take pride in her Bolton roots and, when she returns to the town next week for a book-signing session, welcome back a modern heroine who triumphed over near tragedy.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.