So they agreed to organise a trip to Dignitas, a Swiss organisation set up in 1988 to help those suffering from terminal illnesses or unbearable pain to die "with dignity".

She says that better care at the end of life, including advances in pain relief, should allow more people to die naturally.

The giant roared in pain and clutched at his eye. He rolled on the ground in agony. He was blinded, but he did not die.