Joanne Lees tells Australian police to destroy murdered boyfriend Peter Falconio's camper van

Police, who have been keeping the vehicle since Mr Falconio disappeared in the Outback in July 2001, intended to auction the vehicle in the next few weeks and send the money to Miss Lees, now 34.

The girlfriend of murdered British backpacker Peter Falconio has told authorities to destroy the camper van in which he was shot

But when officers in the Northern Territory contacted Miss Lees, who has returned to her home town of Huddersfield, she told them: 'Just destroy it!'

The couple were at the centre of one of Australia's most puzzling murder investigations.

They were driving their orange Volkswagen van - known Down Under as a combi - on a remote stretch of highway when they were overtaken by a man who indicated there was a problem with the vehicle's exhaust.

Mr Falconio, then 28, got out and was shot. Miss Lees said she was forced into the back of the man's truck, but later managed to escape.

Mr Falconio's body was never found. But in December 2005 self-confessed drug runner Bradley John Murdoch was convicted of his murder and sentenced to life in jail.

English tourist Peter Falconio, 28, was murdered and his girlfriend Joanne Lees, was abducted by drug smuggler Bradley Murdoch

Today, a spokesman for the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services said: 'As per the policy on the disposal of exhibits after a court case is completed, the owner, Ms Joanne Lees, has instructed Northern Territory Police to dispose of the vehicle.

'To clarify, police will facilitate the destruction of the vehicle at a date to be decided.'

Last year Murdoch, who is serving at least 28 years behind bars, lost his final appeal against his conviction and life prison sentence.

Miss Lees bow lives in Huddersfield where she is studying for a degree in sociological studies.

In 2006 she published a book about the events in Australia called No Turning Back,  for which she reportedly received £250,000.

The story of her ordeal  before and after Mr Falconio's death was also televised in the 2007 film, Joanne Lees: Murder In The Outback.