THE ashes of murder victim Michael Blakey are to be scattered in India at a lasting tribute set up in his memory.

Michael's dad, Paul Blakey, said the final resting place of some of his son's remains would be at a special charity centre to be built in honour of the 23-year-old.

As exclusively revealed in yesterday's Lancashire Telegraph, Michael, from Pike Hill, Burnley, was killed while working as a charity worker for the Tong-Len Charitable Trust - which he helped set up - in the Dharamsala province of India.

Paul, of Pike Hill, Burnley, said: "Hopefully, after we have had the funeral over here, we will be able to fly some of Michael's ashes back to India to be scattered at the memorial."

His son's body was found hidden under stones in a gully next to an Anglican Church he attended. It is believed his injuries had been caused by stones.

Police have launched a murder inquiry but are, so far, baffled by the motive of the killers.

Michael had been in the region since June, working with the charity formed in 2004 to get Tibetan refugee families access to poverty relief and education.

And, as the man behind the charity, Lobsang Jamyang, flew into Britain to personally pay his respects to Michael's family, the director of the British branch, Anna Owen, said the organisation would now build and open a centre in Michael's name.

The charity has now set up the Michael Blakey Memorial Fund to help raise the cash.

People living in the village where Michael was working are also holding a 12-day mourning period, which will end at the weekend in a puja - a Hindu worship ceremony normally reserved for faith leaders.

Mrs Owen, 64, said Michael and her daughter, Rachel, 35, helped set up the Tong-Len Charitable Trust in 2004 when they met Lobsang Jamyang, a Tibetan refugee, who told the pair about the plight of his people.

She said: "He spoke to Michael and my daughter about the plight of his people, and the charity would not have been set up if it was not for them. They wanted to help him.

"Lobsang Jamyang has flown in from India and will visit Michael's family and attend the funeral. He is very traumatised at what has happened.

"Michael would want the work to continue, so we want to give the most lasting tribute to Michael that we can.

"We have already set up the Michael Blakey memorial fund as part of our charity."