UNFORGIVABLE - that is the only word a Fleetwood mother can use for the man who tried to cut her children's throats before killing himself.

Tanya Osborne, 25, still has to face the ordeal of telling her children that their father died on the night he went berserk with a knife in her Poulton Road flat.

Still visibly traumatised, Tanya yesterday (Feb 11) addressed a press conference at Victoria Hospital where she has slept by her children's side since the fatal row with ex-partner Kenneth McKay, 29.

Pale, thin and trembling, she gave thanks for the gifts and cards she and her children - Matthew, six, and Jamie-Lee, four - had received since the tragedy on February 3.

"I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who helped save my children's lives," she said.

"It was a terrible incident and one which we will never forget.

"I live with the memory of the attack on my children every minute and that's something no mother should ever have to do.

"Matthew and Jamie-Lee are recovering well and I'm grateful to hospital staff and surgeons for their tremendous efforts.

"I know their scars will heal in time, but they will need a lot of support in the coming weeks, months and years.

"I am trying to come to terms with what happened but I will never forgive Kenny for what he did to his own children.

"It was unforgivable.

"We plan to go home soon and try to get on with our lives as normally as possible."

Tanya's sister, Heidi McLean, 26, has been by her side throughout, as has PC Tracy Potts who was among the first on the scene that night and will stay as long as the family needs her.

Heidi said: "It's been a brilliant support for Tanya the amount of gifts and cards she's had from everybody.

"The nurses, doctors and police have been marvellous, we have to thank them all.

"It'll take a great deal of time and support and care, but Tanya knows we're there for her."

Tanya has a strong family, being one of 12 children - her youngest sister, six-year-old Lisa, was in the flat on the fateful night but thankfully slept through it.

DC David Harrison said Jamie-Lee was now zooming about the children's ward, but Matthew, older and more severely injured, was more affected.

Nevertheless, he said: "He gave me a picture of a lion that he'd drawn yesterday for my office wall, which touched me very much."

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