PLANS for a memorial to a young mum and two of her friends killed by a paranoid schizophrenic 18 months ago remain at a standstill - to the frustration of her father.

Emma Proctor, from Cwmbran, was just 25 when she died, along with friends Martin Connop, 31, and John Gibbings, 37. They were mown down on a street in the town on April 14, 2004.

Killer Steven Price, who lived a short distance away, was driving his father's 4x4 Ford Maverick. He mistakenly believed Mr Connop wanted to kill him, it emerged in court.

Mr Gibbings and Mr Connop were pronounced dead at the scene, while Miss Proctor died the following day.

Last October a judge ordered Price, then aged 30, to be detained at the secure Ashworth Hospital in Liverpool after he pleaded guilty to three counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Miss Proctor's father, Reg Proctor, 49, of Whitebrook Way, told the Argus plans for a memorial needed to be finalised so families could move on.

"It is nearly 18 months since the community took part in a fun day to raise funds for a memorial - it's been really frustrating," said Mr Proctor.

Grieving friends and family wanted to put the memorial on the roadside at the junction of Maesgwyn and Five Locks Road where the attack happened. But last year planners at Torfaen council rejected plans for a roadside memorial because of fears it would set a precedent and could distract drivers.

A new site was agreed a short distance away on the banks of the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal, adjacent to the Cross Keys pub.

This is where the friends spent their last few hours together. But residents objected to a stone and council officers suggested a bench.

Mr Proctor, 49, who in October called for a public inquiry into the affair, said: "It's been a hell of a time and it was hard when residents objected to the plans. I worry that a bench would be chucked into the canal or defaced by vandals - that would be terrible. It would be better if we could have some kind of plaque."

A Torfaen council spokesman said officers were waiting for a decision from the families and were happy to discuss a plaque.