The girlfriend of a missing Sussex backpacker who Australian police believe was murdered is seeking compensation for her ordeal.

Joanne Lees, a former Hove travel agent, was travelling in the Australian Outback with her partner Peter Falconio when they were attacked last July.

The couple were driving in a camper van on the Stuart Highway, 175 miles north of Alice Springs.

Ms Lees told police they were ambushed and the attacker tied her up. She said she managed to struggle free and hid in the bush for six hours.

Miss Lees said she heard a gunshot and police have been working on the theory that the hijacker murdered Mr Falconio, a Sussex University graduate.

Miss Lees, 28, filed a compensation claim last week in Alice Springs.

She could now receive up to $50,000 Aus, or £17,900, under a government scheme for victims of crime.

However, Mr Falconio's father Luciano Falconio, expressed reservations about whether Miss Lees should receive any money.

Asked if he thought Miss Lees should be considered for compensation, he replied: "I don't think she should, not really. I've never really thought about it. I don't think so."

He added he was still in regular contact with Miss Lees.

Both Miss Lees and her 28-year-old boyfriend originally came from the Huddersfield area of West Yorkshire. They shared a home together in Hove before their trip abroad.

Mr Falconio's body has never been found and, despite a major manhunt, the Australian authorities have made no arrests.

No one from Miss Lees' family was available for comment.