STILL numbed by grief the heartbroken parents of Amanda Bennett today spoke of their love for her and their loss.Miss Bennett, of Swinburne Road, Ipswich, died on Friday last week after collapsing behind shops in the town's Cambridge Drive two days earlier.

STILL numbed by grief the heartbroken parents of Amanda Bennett today spoke of their love for her and their loss.

Miss Bennett, of Swinburne Road, Ipswich, died on Friday last week after collapsing behind shops in the town's Cambridge Drive two days earlier.

The past week has been bittersweet for Michael and Patricia Bennett after their 18-year-old granddaughter Serena gave birth to a son, Jesse James, just four days after her mother's death.

His arrival makes the Bennett's memories of their 42-year-old daughter even more poignant as they make the arrangements for her funeral at Ipswich Crematorium West Chapel on September 2.

Mr Bennett, 64, of Shenstone Drive, Ipswich, said: “Amanda was a wonderful mum, always coming after her dad to do things. I used to go down and cut her grass. She would say to me 'what would I do without you', but Amanda would help me in return with other things.

“She was always loving and caring, and if someone wanted to buy something at the shops she would give her last penny away even if she needed it.”

Miss Bennett was fighting alcoholism at the time of her death. Her parents said they believed her addiction had really taken hold at the start of the year and she had been getting help to overcome it.

Her mother said Amanda's death and the birth of her daughter's grandchild just days later, has left her struggling with her emotions.

Mrs Bennett, 62, said: “I feel as if I'm on a big rollercoaster at the moment and can't get off it. I brought Amanda in to this world and stayed with her until she went.

“I saw my daughter out of this world on Friday and my granddaughter had a baby son on Tuesday. Amanda would have made a wonderful grandmother.

“My emotions were sad, then happy, then sad. Amanda was very, very well loved.”

Mrs Bennett said her daughter was the life and soul of the area and brought sunshine and happiness but went down an evil path through no fault of her own.

She added: “She was battling that and winning. She is at peace now.”

Miss Bennett leaves three children, Liam, 23, Serena and another four-year-old daughter.

The former Thurleston High School pupil also leaves an elder brother, Adrian, and a younger sister, Katrina.

n. Do you want to pay tribute to Amanda? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Michael Smith, of Jasmine Close, Trimley St Martin, had been charged with supplying heroin following Miss Bennett's death.

The 44-year-old, who has pleaded not guilty, is due to appear before Ipswich magistrates on September 25.