CLARE Thomas has met the detective to whom she'll describe an attack that left her for dead.

The officer was introduced to Mrs Thomas in November, when it became apparent that, against the odds, she would eventually be up to interview.

But it's going to take time. Together they will talk for 20-30 minutes with breaks of around 48 hours in between.

Consultants caring for Mrs Thomas at the Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham, will advise on the appropriate approach to each session - carried out in conjunction with her therapy.

Detective Superintendent Mark Howard, heading the investigation, admits that few thought an opportunity to interview Mrs Thomas would have been possible three months ago.

Then, the mother-of-two was in a coma after a brutal beating by an intruder she surprised at her former home in Kinton, near Leintwardine.

The hunt for Mrs Thomas's attacker is one of the biggest criminal inquiries Herefordshire has seen in recent years.

"Clare is our key witness and we are delighted with her determined recovery. However, the interview process will be totally dependent upon Clare's condition and, because of this, it could well take several months of structured and detailed interviews before any leads can be followed up," says Det Supt Howard.

Mrs Thomas was allowed out of hospital to spend some time with her family over Christmas and New Year. Such visits might become more frequent over coming months.

Contact BILL TANNER by e-mail at bill.tanner@newsquestmidlands.co.uk