RELATIVES of a former beauty queen who committed suicide after being convicted of blackmailing an ex-soccer star are to fight to clear her name.

Carolyn Pick, 36, was granted leave to appeal against her conviction just a day after the tormented stalker was found hanging in her hospital ward.

She was detained for treatment following her Newcastle Crown Court trial six months earlier for blackmailing a former international soccer star.

Pick was found guilty after a five-year stalking campaign of the ex- footballing great.

During the campaign she sent photographs of herself in a bikini, sent him lurid sex tapes and even visited the star's home.

Her stalking terror came to light when the star contacted the police when Pick claimed she had a tape recording of fantasy phone sex sessions she had with him and threatened to expose him to the world.

In one of her tapes she was heard prophetically telling the star: "I have decided I'm going to appear even when I'm dead. I'm going to haunt you."

After her conviction, in October last year, Pick was placed in a secure hospital unit at St Luke's on Teesside and her sentence was continuously delayed for further psychiatric tests.

But just before she was due to appear in court, Pick, from Washington, Tyne and Wear, was found dead in her cell on April 19.

An inquest into her death was opened an adjourned and she died without knowing the chance to clear her name had been granted.

But the Court of Appeal has confirmed the papers for an appeal hearing are being prepared, indicating her family are continuing their quest for justice.

An Appeal Court spokeswoman said: "The family of the deceased have a right to pursue an appeal if they wish.

"At this stage there is nothing to indicate the case has been withdrawn, and the paper work is in preparation. No date has yet been listed for an appeal."

Ms Pick's solicitor, Barry Row, said: "It is very sad she died not knowing the first stage of the legal process to clear her name had been granted."

At the home of Carolyn's sister, Doreen Walker, in Gateshead, a relative said: "Carolyn's family know what they believe and that is all that matters."

Updated : 11:23, Thursday 9th Aug.