ALAN Stuttle, father of murdered York backpacker Caroline, today paid tribute to his beloved daughter, and to the people of York, as he prepared to close his Micklegate gallery.

Mr Stuttle, an artist, has put the gallery up for sale after 30 years because he wants to start again after Caroline's death in Australia at the age of 19.

He said he remembered his daughter as a wonderful person, and said it was fitting that a charity set up in Australia in her name was to be called Caroline's Rainbow Fund.

"I used to paint rainbows with Caroline. The night she died there was a rainbow, in Australia, for no reason whatsoever. Her friends said they remembered it appearing in the sky.

"We used to go to paint in the Dales. She was like my little mate. She was a great kid."

He said that, despite the tragedy, he would not want to discourage any parents to stop their children from travelling.

"Before she went, I wrote Caroline a letter to say I had a dream that I wanted a little boy and a little girl. I said 'go for your dreams, sometimes they will come true'.

"I remember we had a coffee down the road in Micklegate. It was the last time I saw her alive. She beamed, she had a wonderful beam of a smile. I said, 'I'm so proud of you'."

Caroline died after falling from a bridge in the town of Bundaberg, following a suspected attack by a mugger. Australian detectives are still trying to trace her attacker.

Mr Stuttle, 63, who lives in Scarborough, said his gallery there would remain open. His staff in York include his ex-wife Marjorie, Caroline's mother, as well as Monica Watson, Peter Summers, Truda Bond and Mary Mountain.

He said: "We were going to retire anyway, but this has pushed us over the edge.

"I've been to hell. I will never be frightened of anything again. We've been to hell, the whole family.

"We want to say a big thank you to all our customers and our friends and for all the love that has been given to us by the people of York."

He also thanked the police in York and Australia for their support, and paid tribute to his son, Richard, for his bravery throughout their ordeal.

"We would like to thank York for everything, and want everybody to know that we are so glad for the love of a wonderful daughter and for the love of a wonderful son."

Updated: 11:24 Saturday, May 04, 2002