A NEWPORT woman is holding a charity raffle to raise funds to help with the funeral of mum-to-be Nikitta Grender.

Emily Periam, 18, of Bassaleg, who works at AB Florists in Pill, has organised the raffle which has so far raised £85. Prizes include bubble bath and confectionery.

Tickets, which are £1 per strip, are available to buy by calling into the florist on Commercial Road.

Miss Periam also recently held a “name the teddy bear” competition which raised £36 to go towards the same cause.

The body of Miss Grender, who was eight-and-a-half months pregnant, was found in her flat at Broadmead Park, Lliswerry on February 5.

Carl Whant, 26, is charged with Miss Grender's murder and child destruction under the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929, which relates to destroying the life of a child before life existed external from its mother.

He is currently in custody awaiting his next hearing before a crown court.