MENTALLY and emotionally drained, the parents of Hannah Foster once again opened their hearts to speak about their trip to India that saw the arrest of the prime suspect in their daughter's murder inquiry.

The couple have braved press conference after press conference in an effort to focus the spotlight on the investigation in India that until their visit was, in the Fosters' own words, "treading water."

Their appeal went straight to the hearts of the Indian public who Trevor Foster described as having an overwhelming generosity of spirit.

At what was likely to be their last public appearance while the suspect Maninder Pal Singh Kohli goes through the legal process beginning with extradition proceedings, the couple admitted that news of Kohli's arrest had given them a lift for the first time since 17-year-old Hannah's death.

"It was the first time in 16 months that we have had any sort of hope or any sort of good news really," Mrs Foster said.

Now that they have done what they set out to achieve - but never thought would actually happen - the Fosters said they needed time to collect themselves after the astonishing events of the last two weeks.

Mr Foster said: "We would like to distance ourselves quickly and completely from the investigation and publicity surrounding it, and get back to our private lives and private memories of Hannah."

The couple's trip to India was originally designed to rejuvenate the Indian investigation and personally publicise a hotline they had set up independently from the police.

It took just five days for their appeal to reap the result they had prayed for with news of Kohli's arrest.

"It was total confusion for us. We were locked in our hotel room with journalists banging on our door and the police an hour's drive away. But my overwhelming emotion was one of pure relief," said Mrs Foster.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Daily Echo the couple once again expressed their thanks to the Indian people whose help led to Kohli's arrest last Thursday.

At a specially-arranged press conference they also praised Hampshire police officers Det Supt Alan Betts and Det Con Morag Scott who accompanied the couple on their trip to the Punjab.

"They worked tirelessly and professionally throughout the trip and epitomised everything we could want or expect from members of a major crime team," said Mr Foster.

Kohli, 35, remains in custody in West Bengal while an official extradition request is prepared by Hampshire Crown Prosecution Service.

It is likely he will remain in the region until that has been received before being transferred to Delhi for an extradition hearing.

Kohli was identified as the prime suspect in the abduction, murder and rape of Hannah after he fled to India two days after her body was found.