THE WIDOW and children of murdered Zimbabwean farmer Alan Dunn have returned to the crisis-torn country.

Sherry Dunn and her daughters Kate, Sarah and Emma were holidaying with Mr Dunn's mother, Pat, at the family farm at Goldstone, near Ash, during the latest flare up of the land rights dispute which has lead to the murder of a number of white farmers.

Mr Dunn was the third white person killed when he was beaten by a gang armed with bricks, chains and sticks in May, last year.

Mrs Dunn said her daughter-in-law and children had returned following the peace deal brokered by Commonwealth leaders last week.

"The girls needed to go back to school so it was always their intention to go back," she said.

"If they find they can't manage they will have to come back and make other plans. She wants to carry on the farm if she can possibly manage. We will have to wait and see what happens and whether it works out."

She said other African states had become worried that the Zimbabwe troubles might spread to other countries and that she and her family hoped the new deal would work.