TWO murderers who kicked and punched student Sophie Lancaster to death because of the way she dressed have lodged an appeal against their sentences.

But police said many people would find the move 'distasteful' and a councillor said the crime was so heinous any appeal would surely fail.

Lawyers representing Brendan Harris, 15, and Ryan Herbert, 16, are arguing that their 18-year and 16-year jail terms imposed for killing Sophie in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, are excessive.

Sophie, 20, of Bacup, was viciously attacked as she begged the pair to stop hitting her unconscious boyfriend Robert Maltby.

The pair had been targeted because they were Goths.

Crown Prosecution Service officials have confirmed that the remaining three youths in the case have also lodged appeals against their sentences.

Brothers Joseph, 17, and Danny Hulme, 16, of Landgate, Whitworth, and their pal Daniel Mallett, of Rockcliffe Drive, Bacup, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent on Robert.

The Hulmes were jailed for five years and 10 months each, by Judge Anthony Russell QC and Mallett, 17, for four years.

The five young men's appeals will be heard by a senior High Court judge, sitting alone, to see if there is a case to answer.

If the judge determines there is a basis for the appeal, then the case will be heard in full by three law lords.

The law lords could rule that the length of the sentence was justified, should be cut or ought to be extended.

Detective Inspector Dean Holden, one of the senior investigating officers in the case, said many would find the appeals 'distasteful'.

He added: "They are entitled to appeal but from my point of view the sentences imposed were commen-surate with the severity of the crime."

He said he hoped the judges would consider the strength of public feeling, generated by the attack on the couple, in reaching their final decisions on the appeal.

Coun Alan Neal, who represents Whitworth and Shawforth, where the Hulme brothers hail from, said: "I know everyone has got the right to appeal but this was so heinous I do not believe the law lords or anyone else can go against their sentences."

County councillor Sean Serridge added: "People in Bacup and Whitworth will certainly feel that this (appeal) is unfair because of what was said at the trial."

When sentence was passed, Judge Russell said: "This was a terrible case which has shocked and outraged all those who have heard about it.

"The intolerance you displayed is shocking evidence of the attitudes of some of our people. This was a hate crime against completely harmless people, targeted because their appearance was different."

The judge described the attacks on Sophie and Robert as 'feral thuggery' and said that the attackers' actions had 'degraded humanity'.

Both Robert and Sophie were in a coma after the attack.

Sophie never regained consciousness and died two weeks later.