POLICE today mounted a round-the-clock guard over the the body of moors murderer Myra Hindley.

The woman who came to personify evil for many, died yesterday at the West Suffolk hospital at Bury St Edmunds following respiratory failure .

Hospital sources said that police were guarding her body amid fears of attacks by members of the public or photographers might attempt to snatch pictures.

Arrangements have been made for a funeral service to be held at Cambridge crematorium.

Hindley, 60, a chain smoker, who died just before 5pm yesterday, had experienced ill-health for much of her 36 years behind bars, suffering from angina, suspected strokes and osteoporosis.

Hindley and her insane accomplice Ian Brady, 64, were sentenced to life behind bars in 1966 for three child murders. In 1987 they confessed to two more.

But people across the south today said no tears should be shed for Hindley.

Southampton team rector, the Rev Ian Johnson, said: "I would say that one of the things that shocked me most while working near where the murders were committed was that people were still bitter towards her and had no sympathy for her whatsoever.

"I think it's probably a huge release for her and I'm delighted that she died having received the last rites from a member of the church."

New Forest East MP Julian Lewis, a supporter of capital punishment, said: "Our thoughts should not be about a woman who has now died but about her victims and their families who must wish she had never been born."

Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner added: "I can't possibly put myself in the position of those who

suffered at her hands and I can't express a view properly on their behalf."

The death of Moors murderess Myra Hindley sparked a torrent of

reaction from victims' relatives and campaigners who had wanted her released.

The mother of one of Myra Hindley's victims today said she feared her son's body would never be found.

Winnie Johnson said the death of Hindley could mean the end of her 36-year search to find the makeshift grave of her son, Keith Bennett.

Hindley and Ian Brady snatched the 12-year-old in 1964. He was killed by the pair and his remains left on Saddleworth Moor.

Hindley and Brady confessed to the murder in 1987 but were never charged.

"I have no sympathy for her even in death," said Mrs Johnson, of Fallowfield, Manchester.

"The pair of them have made my heart very hard and really I just hope she goes to Hell."

BRUTAL COUPLE THAT SHOCKED A NATION: SEE PAGES 2 & 3 OF TODAY'S DAILY ECHO.