WHEN Anthony Rigby was born on January 13, 1983, at Blackburn's Queen's Park Hospital, mum Carole said her life was complete.

With two daughters already, Paula and Marie, now 24 and 23 respectively, Anthony was the son Carole had always wanted.

Carole raised all three children on her own, forming a strong, close family-unit that was cruelly split with the death of Anthony on January 11, 2002 -- two days before his 19th birthday.

Nine months after the shooting, Carole works hard to keep that bond together. Cards sent to friends and family at birthdays and Christmases still bear Anthony's name.

Carole said: "Carole, Paula, Marie and Anthony. That's how it's always been and that's how it will be forever. We have been and always will be such a loving and close family but Anthony is missing, so our family can never be complete. Myself and his sisters will keep Anthony in our hearts forever."

Growing up, Carole made sure Anthony wanted for nothing. As the baby of the family, Anthony was doted on, not only by his mum but by his two sisters and their grandparents.

As a youngster he excelled at sports, both in and out of school. He played football for both St James Primary and then later Beardwood High School, where he amassed an impressive haul of trophies.

A keen Blackburn Rovers fan, Anthony also played for a local soccer team based at Riley's Snooker, in Blackburn. The team, now in its third season, play on Saturdays in Division Three of the Blackburn and District Football Combination.

Darren Heggi, manager at the club where Anthony played snooker regularly with friends, said his death was a "tragedy".

"He was just an ordinary boy enjoying playing snooker and a drink. His friends still come in and I know the football team have received several cards from his mum to say thanks."

At a presentation evening in June, it was left to Carole to pick up her son's trophies. Two memorial shields were made in honour of Anthony -- one which was handed over to Carole and one retained by the club. All the players signed Anthony's football shirt, which was then framed.

Like most 18-year-olds, Anthony craved his independence and in March 2001 he moved into his first flat on Swift Close, Larkhill and began looking for work. There he would entertain friends, playing his music or his PlayStation and generally enjoying life.

He loved watching Formula One racing, partying and girls -- just like any other 18-year-old would do.

Carole added: "Anthony has some great mates who have been there for myself and family, they miss Anthony so much and I'm so very proud of every single one of them. They come to see me and that's so lovely as they haven't forgotten their mate and I just see Anthony with them in my mind. I love seeing them and will always be around if any of them ever need me."

The flat was his pride and he took great care of it. He filled it with new items bought on shopping trips with his mum, and although he was very much his own person, he spent a lot of time at his mum's house.

When he was not there, Carole was at his flat.

It was at his flat on Monday, January 7, that Mark Peter Harrington called, bearing an Olympic .38 handgun. Four days after he was shot, the life-support machine at the Royal Preston Hospital was switched off.

Surrounded by his friends and family Anthony James Rigby was pronounced dead.

More than 100 mourners attended his funeral service at Pleasington Crematorium in February, where Father Clive Birch described him as a considerate young man. His ashes remain at the family home, looked upon by a row of photographs of the teenager growing up, from a carefree child, to the fledgling young man.

Carole said: "I have always loved, cared and worried over my children and at Anthony's funeral, going in, I played Three Little Birds, by Bob Marley, through the song it says Don't Worry, I feel it is Anthony saying it to me as he always said to me 'Mum, don't worry.' Then on the way out I played We're Going To Miss You, by James, which is so true Anthony is always missed and will be forever. I play these songs every day.

Carole said: "Anthony would be up at my house for his meals and to fetch his washing home. It was like he had never left, but I loved it that way as I always knew he was all right."

"I didn't realise that when I saw my son going down the hill that weekend in January it would be the last time I'd see Anthony. We gave each other a hug and kiss as we always did.

"Anthony was a happy young lad with all his life in front of him and it's been taken away. Our lives are so empty, we are all lost without him and we all suffer."