THE FAMILY of a grandmother killed at a busy bus interchange in Manchester city centre have told how their lives have been devastated by the tragedy.

Kathleen Lea's sons and daughters spoke as police staged a reconstruction of her last movements in a bid to jog the memories of witnesses.

Kathleen, 69, of Brooklands, Manchester, died after she was struck by a bus in Piccadilly Gardens.

She had been crossing the road hand in hand with her partner Leslie Blankley, 70, who was badly bruised.

The pair was going for a coffee when they were hit by the 192 Magic Bus from Stockport at the junction of Piccadilly and Lever Street.

Kathleen's son Christopher, 32, said: ''She was a fit, healthy woman who should be here today.

We are totally devastated by what has happened, it has been a complete nightmare. Our father died in 1979. She brought the family up by herself and still held down a part-time job.

''She had found happiness in recent years with her partner Leslie when this happened.''

Caring

His twin sister, Amanda, said: ''She was a generous, caring person and meant so much to us. We want anyone who may have seen something to come forward.''

Daughter Kathryn, 34, said: ''My mum doted on her six grandchildren and they all miss her terribly.''

The incident happened at noon on November 29. Earlier the same day, an 83-year-old was killed near Piccadilly Plaza after being hit by a bus.

Stagecoach, which owns both buses involved in the accidents, has called for a review of safety at Piccadilly Gardens, which has become extremely congested as a £356m redevelopment gathers pace.

City councillor Marc Ramsbottom backed calls for a review. He said: ''There have been a number of accidents at Piccadilly Gardens and I have been concerned for some time that someone will be killed.''

Pc Nigel Everett, of the police traffic unit said: ''We want to hear from anyone who was in Piccadilly Gardens at the time of the accident.

''We also want to hear from anyone who travelled on that 192 bus from Stockport, even if they did not travel all the way into the city centre.''

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call police on 0161 856 3573.