THE brother of a man killed in a town centre attack has named his first-born son after his tragic sibling.

Adam Joseph McKenna was born on Friday morning, weighing 5lbs and 13ozs, to parents Tim McKenna and Clare Grimshaw.

Tim, 33, brother of Adam Rogers, 24, who died in July 2009 after the Blackburn attack, said he was ‘overwhelmed and excited’ after baby Adam was born three weeks early.

Tim, who runs The Woodlands pub, in Preston New Road, Blackburn, said: “I want my child to know about his uncle Adam.

"He would have been a fantastic uncle. He was brilliant with children.

“After the funeral I said I didn’t want to let what happened spoil my hopes and dreams.

"To name him Adam is a fitting tribute to a man I loved and respected and I miss.

"My child will never know his uncle, but to carry his name in that way will make him closer.

"Clare is amazing and both mother and baby are doing very well.”

When Tim and fiancée Clare, 33, broke the news to grandparents Pat and Dave Rogers, there were some poignant parallels.

Tim called his mum, Pat, while they were on holiday in Malta in the early hours of the morning – the same set of circumstances to when they heard that Adam had been attacked.

He said: “It was difficult to do because of the connections.

"I was stood outside the same hospital again, ringing mum. Only last time it was very, very different.”

Pat said: “We are absolutely delighted by the birth of our new grandchild.

"We are really happy that Tim and Clare have chosen to name their son Adam.

"It is obviously very poignant for us and a very emotional time.

"It helps in some way to alleviate the pain we associate with being here when we heard the awful news about the attack on our son Adam just over a year ago.”