TERRORIST bomb victim Helen Bennett had been due to fly back from her family holiday today to prepare for her best friend's wedding.

Instead, her body was returned to the North-East by Turkish military aircraft late last night.

The 21-year-old, of Spennymoor, County Durham, was one of five people killed when a bomb exploded on a packed minibus in Kusadasi, Turkey, on Saturday.

She had been expected to attend a final dress fitting later this week before being a bridesmaid for 21-year-old Stacy Haigh on Saturday.

Miss Haigh, a care home worker, said: "I've had serious doubts about going ahead with my wedding, but I know I must do it for Helen. We will say a special prayer for her at the start of the ceremony."

Miss Bennett's mother and stepfather, Sharon and Tommy Holden, were also on the plane, which took off from an airfield near Izmir.

It landed at Newcastle International Airport at 10.20pm last night, to be greeted by two Durham Police officers, acting on behalf of Durham and Darlington coroner Andrew Tweddle.

He is expected to open an inquest either this week or next. Miss Bennett's body was to be taken to Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

Her aunt, Toni Punshon, and cousin, Sam Punshon, who were also injured in the explosion, also returned last night. They were taken to a separate hospital.

Her fiance, Stephen Stables, 23, is still in a serious condition in a Turkish hospital.

He has reportedly not been told that his fiancee has died, for fear of undermining his recovery from severe shrapnel wounds, burns and a broken leg. His father, Michael Stables, is said to be holding a vigil at his bedside.

Miss Bennett's brother, Adam Megoran, 16, and Ms Punshon's partner, Michael Aspinall, from Sherburn, near Durham City, were also too poorly to travel back to England. The pair are to undergo further surgery.

Mr and Mrs Holden, who the couple were staying with while they saved to buy their own home, and another aunt and uncle escaped the bomb because they decided to take a boat trip rather than head for the beach with the family.

Colleagues of Miss Bennett at the University Hospital of North Durham's restaurant, run by Haden Building Management, were distraught.

A company spokesperson said: "The thoughts of the company are very much with her family and friends."

In the House of Commons yesterday, Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman told of her sadness at Miss Bennett's death.

Mrs Goodman urged foreign office minister Douglas Alexander to keep relatives informed of progress.

Mr Alexander said he was certain he spoke for the whole House in extending sympathy to Miss Bennett's family.

Promising to pass on developments in the investigation, he added: "The explosion was a repugnant attack that targeted innocent tourists.

"We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Turkey in sympathy and in our refusal to allow terrorists to destroy our values and indeed our liberty."

Four other people were killed in the attack, including 17-year-old Tara Whelan, of County Waterford, Ireland, who was on holiday to celebrate the end of exams.

Turkish authorities believe it was the work of Kurdish PKK separatists.