FRIENDS and family of accident victim Olivia Whiteside have released 20 balloons to mark the first anniversary of her death.

The seven-year-old, known as Dolly, died after she was struck by a vehicle at the junction of Billinge Street and Dalton Close, Blackburn, while playing with her cousin Lewis.

The balloons were released at Pleasington Crematorium beside a tree planted in her memory. Seventy tags with messages from those who knew Olivia were attached to each balloon, which were in her favourite colour - pink.

Olivia's mother, Laura Whiteside, 24, of Goldhey Street, said: "We came up with the idea because we wanted something that would fly with the wind. Olivia liked balloons as well.

"This is part of our ongoing fight for justice and it helps to raise awareness of what happened, as well as road safety issues."

Twenty four friends and relatives attended the occasion to express their remembrance of Olivia, who was described by here cousin Nick Smith, 22 as: "A beautiful, lovely child. A stunning angel."

Another of Olivia's cousins, Toni Harrington, 12, said: "It's very sad, we shouldn't be here."

Toni left a message on a balloon saying Dolly we all miss you lots. Love you, Toni xxx' Olivia's Great Uncle, Brian Whiteside said: "We are just filled with thoughts of Olivia today."

Former neighbour Shelley Hope, 26, said: "This is very sad but it is a good thing that she is not forgotten.

"We've put a teddy bear and poems by her tree."

The crowd shouted Olivia' as the balloons were released and then flew towards Blackburn in the wind.

A 27-year-old from Nelson who had been arrested on suspicion of causing deasth by dangerous driving over the death of Olivia was released without charge. He told the inquest into her death he was not the driver of a Range Rover which knocked down and killed her.

Police said they did not have enough evidence to prosecute him on a dangerous driving charge and were unable to bring lesser charges of careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident because they had not brought their case within six months.

Laura and Olivia's grandmother Valerie Whiteside, have now called for a change in the law to close the six-month loophole.