TWENTY-years after 16-year-old Claire Tiltman was stabbed to death in a Greenhithe alleyway, a candlelit walk and memorial service is planned.

A group of Claire’s school friends have arranged the service on Friday, just four days after what would have been her 36th birthday.

Claire’s best friend Lisa Gribbin said: “We have a strong feeling that with both Claire’s parents now gone, there is a need to carry on the fight to find her killer and finally get some justice for our dear friend.

“My eldest daughter has just turned 16 and I look at her and realise just how young Tilt was and how much she had taken away from her.

“She had her whole life ahead of her.”

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate cold case unit have been investigating Claire’s murder since.

Chief Superintendent Neil Jerome, who was a PC on patrol in Stone on the night of Claire’s murder, says he remembers getting the initial call saying someone had been attacked.

He said: “I remember getting the initial call and being told it was an accident that had happened.

“Obviously when we arrived at the scene things quickly changed to a serious assault.

“There was very little to go on in the early stages, I was tasked to look around the neighbourhood to see if there was anyone around, anyone covered in blood, any witnesses, but there was nothing.”

Chief Superintendent Jerome, who will be attending the walk and memorial service, added: “A huge amount of effort went into those early stages, it was a busy night, an area which would have mainly been used by local people.

“It’s sad that an entire family has been wiped out. Claire’s parents have gone to their graves not knowing who killed their daughter.

“There must be witnesses who haven’t come forward, who are getting older now. Do they want to go to their graves with that vital piece of information?”

The walk will begin opposite The Bull Pub in London Road at 6pm and travel to the site where Claire died before a memorial service is held in St Mary’s Church at 7pm.

All are welcome to attend.

If you have information that may help with the investigation contact the incident room on 01634 884010 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.