A COUPLE'S seven-year campaign to get justice for their dead daughter has been ended by a High Court ruling.

Patricia and Harry Marsh, of Woodcock Park, Warminster, heard the news they had been dreading a test case against the third-generation contraceptive pill had failed.

Mrs Marsh said: "It's a complete farce and the seven years I have been fighting the cause have gone to waste.

"I don't know how they can make this ruling, some women have been left with disastrous injuries from taking the pill."

Their daughter, Beverley, died the day before her 21st birthday in December 1994, just five weeks after she started taking Femodene.

On Monday the High Court dismissed a test case brought on behalf of more than 100 women, which was supported by Mr and Mrs Marsh.

They argued that the third-generation pill carried an increased risk of lethal blood clots compared to alternatives.

However, the judge decided an exhaustive scientific examination had been carried out and was satisfied that the pills did not pose any serious health risks.

The three drug companies involved, Organon Laboratories, Schering Healthcare and Wyeth, denied they failed to protect women from risks of lethal side effects.

They argued that the weight of evidence given by 10 epidemiological experts showed their products did not increase the risk of blood clots.

Mrs Marsh said: "I've spoken to some women with some terrible injuries and they are absolutely devastated by the outcome of the case and the fact we did not get any justice."

Beverley Marsh, an insurance clerk and talented singer, died from the effects of a blood clot while she was staying with her boyfriend, Andy Findlay, in London.

She noticed something was wrong after taking her first pill, before going to a party in Ilfracombe with her boyfriend.

Beverley returned the following day complaining of a pain in her hip.

She was rushed to hospital after collapsing just over a month later and died of a heart attack at Lewisham Hospital.

Mrs Marsh said: "The risks of taking the pill are not any different than they were yesterday.

"The risk is that you could take the pill and die.

"There is talk of an appeal but I don't know if I can push anymore. Having this hung over our heads has kept the wound open.

"As much as I want to fight I feel it is time to let go."