THE aunt of Princess Diana told last night of her desperate wish for her niece to be left to rest in peace.Lady Anne Wake-Walker, who lives in East Bergholt, said she had been left terribly distressed by reports in the national press digging up allegations about the Princess's life, and described it as "cruel".

THE aunt of Princess Diana told last night of her desperate wish for her niece to be left to rest in peace.

Lady Anne Wake-Walker, who lives in East Bergholt, said she had been left terribly distressed by reports in the national press digging up allegations about the Princess's life, and described it as "cruel".

She spoke to the EADT after ex-royal butler Paul Burrell's sensational claim that the Princess wrote to him 10 months before she died, and said there was a plot to kill her in a road accident.

Diana's former butler and confidant has written a book, which goes on sale next week, and released a hand-written letter by Diana in a national newspaper in which the Princess describes her life as at its "most dangerous" phase.

But speaking from her home, which was visited by the Princess during her childhood, Lady Anne said: "He should never have written a book, it's so indiscreet."

"It's awful, terrible and rather distressing. I just want to leave her, the darling girl, in peace. Why are they digging up all this dirt? It's cruel, especially for the sons. It's the latest horror.

"It's awful for the family and for the Royal family. We absolutely miss her. Let her rest in peace and leave her alone, the poor child.

"Anyone of the family would say that now. Do not dig up these terrible things whether they are true or not. Just leave her in peace. I am very sad all this has been dug up. I don't want to take sides."

Lady Anne's brother John, the Eighth Earl Spencer, was Diana's father and the Princess regularly visited Lady Anne's home during her childhood. She was also a bridesmaid at her daughter's wedding.

In the letter published in the Daily Mirror, Diana said that someone, whose name the newspaper blacked out for legal reasons, was planning "an accident".

It read: "(Word here blacked out) is planning 'an accident' in my car, brake failure and serious head injury in order to make the path clear for Charles to marry."

Lady Anne, who was married to the late Captain Christopher Wake-Walker, said she had no idea about whether such ideas had any truth or not.

"I cannot believe that. I hope not," she said.

"I have no contact with any of them, I don't know what it is, I have no idea what it means. I don't know whether it is true or not.

"I would just like to say I'm very sad they are digging up all these things now. I know absolutely nothing, possibly less than other people because I don't read the gutter press."

Diana and Dodi Fayed were killed early on the morning of August 31, 1997, when a Mercedes driven by chauffeur Henri Paul crashed in the Pont D'Alma tunnel in Paris.

A French inquiry in 1999 blamed Mr Paul, concluding he had taken a cocktail of drink and drugs and was speeding.

Lady Anne said the world must never forget her niece but should allow her to rest in peace now.

"She was always very, very sweet and kind. A lovely person. She's missed enormously by the whole world. She did all this wonderful work abroad and in England. We must not forget her."

Mr Burrell, who was cleared last year of theft charges, said: "Over the last six years, and particularly in the last 11 months since my trial ended at the Old Bailey, I have had time to reflect on the extraordinary events that I have witnessed.

"During that time I have watched and listened as many individuals have claimed to know the truth about the Princess.

"I know that what was claimed to be the truth is actually far from it.

"I decided to write this book because I firmly believe that someone has to stand in the Princess's corner and fight for her now that she cannot do so herself."