THE family of a murdered school girl have thanked the community for their continual support in an emotional tribute ten years on from her death.

Lauren Pilkington-Smith was 10-years-old when she was beaten to death in 2005.

Her killer, Kieron Smith, now aged 28, was jailed for life in January 2006 for her murder.

Leigh CE pupil Lauren disappeared after playing cricket with Smith and another friend at the back of Pilling Street, Leigh.

She was found by her grandad 12 hours later on July 8, in woodland, with more than 70 injuries, believed to have been inflicted by a cricket bat.

Ten years on, her family have described life without Lauren and how important it is to them to keep her memory alive.

Lauren’s older sister Bekkah Pilkington-Smith, aged 25, said her sister was ‘amazing’.

Bekkah said: “It is hard and it only gets harder as the years pass, there is nothing you can do. You try and get on with your ever day life but it’s always there and always something that you think of. We were both young at the time and we used to have a really good relationship.

“Obviously there was the odd time that we would fight and we would try and get each other in to trouble but she was just amazing.

“When Lauren was killed everyone felt what happened. Because it’s such a small town it shocked everyone. I think because everyone was there to help us that’s what has helped us through it and help keep her name alive.”

Following Lauren’s death the community rallied together united by grief, with flowers, gifts and messages of sympathy and support which they left at a spot close to the Atherleigh Way junction that has since been known as Lauren’s corner.

The site is now a permanent memorial garden and has a bench and an engraved marble remembrance book which was unveiled on the first anniversary of her death.

Each year the Leigh fishing community holds an annual fishing match and donates money to Leigh Junior Ospreys fishing club, a cause chosen by her family.

Organiser and sponsor Mark Grimshaw of Grimshaw Auto’s said: “Lauren's death hit the fishing community pretty hard as Lauren's grandad used to have a fishing tackle shop in Leigh. Lauren's dad Glen is a good friend of mine and we all know how much it means to the family to keep Lauren's name alive.

This is just a way of creating something positive from that grief.”

This year's match will be held on July 18 on the Leeds, Liverpool Canal where Lauren used to enjoy fishing.

Bekkah added: “She loved to go down on a weekend and catch a few fish herself.

“My Grandad had a fishing tackle shop on Twist Lane so the event all ties in with the family.

“My parents actually attend the fishing match presentation and hand over the prizes. It’s extremely hard on Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries.

“Smith has never apologised. It is so frustrating we just want answers but he has never said anything.”

Lauren’s mum Alison says she tries not to think about the reality that Lauren is not there anymore, but that her daughter’s killer should never be let out of prison.

Smith appealed his sentence in 2014, but was unsuccessful and will not be eligible to apply for parole until July 2020.

Lauren’s family have said they will be visiting Lauren’s corner on the anniversary of her death and will be laying gifts in her memory.