Death threats girl 'destroyed diary'

But Jane Foxley, 39, of Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury, said her family now hoped to move on and continue as normal with nine-year-old Sophie's website, which is read by thousands of people every week.

It was revealed yesterday that detectives had traced the threats, which were put up in November, to a computer in the north east of England.

Mrs Foxley said although she felt angry, she also felt sorry for the girl responsible.

She said: "She did destroy the diary for us and it was a really big thing in our family and helped all of us deal with Sophie's illness."

After the death threats were posted, Sophie, who has suffered from leukaemia since June 2006, stopped writing her blog and people were unable to post comments but now Mrs Foxley said they hoped to get back to normal.

She said: "I have explained it to Sophie now. I had not told her everything before.

"She just knew there were nasty messages. Sophie has a fear of fire anyway and has had terrible nightmares about fires.

"I told her that someone had threatened to set the house on fire but she did not have to worry.

"I said the person had been caught and her mum and dad knew and she had been in trouble.

"Sophie was quite shocked it was someone her own age. I think she was probably relieved it was not a grown-up as well."

Mrs Foxley said people could now comment on the blog, although messages would be checked.

She said: "There should be a few good entries soon. She wants to go on the London Eye in the Easter holidays.

"She has not been out of Shrewsbury for so long except to go to the hospital in Birmingham. We will be able to put up some pictures.

"It's amazing that even though we have not been writing it that often, we still get about 40,000 hits a week.

"At least I do not have to look over my shoulder all the time now. We just did not know who it was or if it was a prank or someone who was being serious. It was horrible.

"I did not think we would ever find out who it was."

By Rebecca Lawrence