PUNK legends The Damned are set to headline a memorial concert for murdered former Haslingden High student Sophie Lancaster.

Captain Sensible and company have agreed to take centre stage for Make A Noise 2, the second annual gathering commemorating what would have been the Bacup girl’s 22nd birthday.

And The Damned has enlisted the support of members of fellow veterans The Alarm, as special guests for the Heywood Civic Centre gig on November 26.

Providing support will be local bands Eustacia Vye and Ded Mole Crickit, featuring friends of Sophie, who was attacked and killed in Stubbylee Park in August 2007 because of the way she dressed.

Memorial concerts for Sophie have sprung up across the UK over the last 14 months, from band nights in East Lancashire pubs and clubs to the international stage at the Colne Rhythm and Blues Festival and a gig at the annual Goth weekend in Whitby.

The event is designed to once again raise the profile of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, started by the student’s mother Sylvia, and ensure the organisation’s campaign against intolerance does not go unheard.

Kate Conboy-Greenwood, a close family friend and foundation spokesman, said: “Like last year, Sylvia wants to make sure that Sophie’s family and friends can celebrate her life and this year others can come along to join them.

“It’s going to be a night to remember and like last year will end at midnight with a minutes noise, to show we will not stay quiet about the death of Sophie and the violence that damages so many lives.”

In other foundation activity, Sylvia won the support of indie act Goldblade at a gig in Manchester earlier this month, when she was given the spotlight to address the audience about Sophie’s campaign’s aims.