The High Court has reserved its judgment on whether Moors murderer Myra Hindley's "last chance" bid for freedom has been a success.

Hindley, 55, who was jailed in 1966, is challenging a ruling by former Home Secretary Michael Howard that she should serve a "whole life sentence". She was originally sentenced to a provisional 30-year-sentence, and has now served 31 years.

Mr Howard's ruling has been upheld by his Labour successor Jack Straw.

The court, consisting of the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Bingham, and Mr Justice Hooper and Mr Justice Astill, said it hoped to give its ruling before the end of next week.

Edward Fitzgerald QC, representing Hindley, said in court: "Effectively this is the last chance for this applicant."

He said she had been "irrationally and perversely" denied a chance of parole and was condemned to die in jail after being singled out due to the notoriety of the case.

He said the 30-year sentence had been enough to satisfy the need for retribution and deterrence."

David Pannick QC, appearing for the Home Secretary, argued that the minister did have the power to increase the sentence, and that even allowing for the extent Hindley had been "corrupted and intimidated" by Brady, her crime was "so grave that only a whole life tariff was appropriate."

Hindley claimed her co-defendant Ian Brady had threatened to kill her if she did not co-operate with him. However Brady has denied this in a letter to Mr Straw.

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