A property firm that sued a dead Jewish woman over rent for her daughter's student accommodation has apologised and withdrawn its legal action.

The Manchester family of Susan Ellis, who died of leukaemia in January, were outraged when Leeds property firm Parklane pursued a rent claim for a flat Victoria Ellis never occupied. Ms Ellis had dropped out of university to nurse her dying mother. But after last week's JC report and other media coverage, Parklane agreed to drop the claim for £2,200 and donate the same amount to Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

Widower Philip Ellis said it was a "good day for us at a bleak time".

In a statement, Parklane expressed "sincere apologies for any distress caused to the family by our actions".