THE family of a Winchester artist who was killed by a grizzly bear are facing financial ruin and ill health as they continue their quest to recover scores of his missing paintings.

Trevor Percy Lancaster died after being attacked by the animal in 1992 while on holiday in Canada with his then lover Cherry Reksten.

Since then Trevor's son James, who was diagnosed with cancer, and his mother Marilyn, who was made bankrupt, have fought a tireless campaign to reclaim Trevor's missing artwork.

Last year, after a court wrangle, James won the right to gain possession of the works and some 183 paintings, worth an estimated six figure sum, were returned.

In the latest twist to the tale, the matter has returned to court and a judge has ordered Ms Reksten to declare if she has any more works of art or writings in her possession.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, James, 27, from Rickmansworth, denied he was motivated by revenge.

"I just want what is mine. I'm not going to let it rest," he said.

Judge Iain Hughes QC at Winchester County Court granted his application for Ms Reksten to provide a list of what she might still have.

James' mother Marilyn told the court that there were more than 100 paintings still missing.

She said the legal victory had come at a heavy cost: "Our costs have been £48,000 to date. Four days after the case James was rushed to hospital with cancer. He couldn't work. I took on two jobs and became ill. I couldn't repay loans and was made bankrupt. This case has cost us our health and financial ruin."

Judge Hughes said he sympathised with the family's predicament. He said: "I'm not here to act as an instrument of revenge. Do you really think proceeding with this is going to be fruitful, or involve you in more heartache, more expense and more anxiety?

"Sometimes, even if you have right on your side, it is better to draw a line and proceed with the rest of your life rather than fight a battle that will drag on for years, where there can be no final victory, just a long drawn-out war of attrition."

He granted the order which gives Ms Reksten until May 28 to give a statement outlining what possessions of Trevor's she still has.

Ms Reksten, formerly of Mews Lane, Winchester, but now lives in St Ives, Cornwall was not in court and was not available for comment.

In a letter to the court she said she had little money and was receiving housing benefit. She denied having any of Trevor's possessions.