THE grieving mother of a Hampshire Army medic killed in a bomb blast in Iraq has criticised military chiefs for allowing the 15 captured sailors and marines to sell their stories.

Sally Veck, whose 19-year-old daughter Eleanor Dlugosz died along with three others when their armoured vehicle was targeted by a roadside bomb in Basra last Thursday, said she did not think it was right for troops to make cash from their job.

Ms Veck, 41, made the comments after learning the 15 military personnel who were captured by Iranian forces at gunpoint in disputed waters off the Iraqi coast, were to be allowed to sell their stories to the media for money.

One of the former hostages, Leading Seaman Faye Turney, the only woman captive, is reported to have already sold her story for an estimated £100,000, although she along with others in the group have said some of their money will go to charity.

On Saturday Ms Veck, accompanied by Pte Dlugosz' grandparents, spoke to The Daily Echo at their Swanmore home near Southampton, about their daughter's death and the pride they had for what she had achieved.

She also told how Pte Dlugosz had also been proud of what the British Army were doing in Iraq because they were making a difference to people's lives and not just doing it for money.

Asked whether it was right for British troops to sell their stories after returning from the war zone, Ms Veck reportedly said: "If you are a member of the military, it is your duty to serve your country.

"You should do your duty and not expect to make money by selling stories.

"We are all devastated by Eleanor's death. I feel it has been very important for me to speak to the press and rell everyone in the world how wonderful Eleanor was.

"But I would never want any money."