PUNK legends The Damned and a 400-strong crowd helped to ensure the memory of a tragic East Lancashire student will not be forgotten.

Family, friends and supporters of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation gathered at Heywood Civic Centre, on what would have been the former Haslingden High pupil’s 22nd birthday.

Gap-year student Sophie, from Bacup, was killed during a gang attack in the town’s Stubbylee Park in August 2007, simply because of her ‘alternative’ dress.

Her mum Sylvia and hundreds of campaigners nationwide have used her death as a rallying call to combat prejudice in all its forms.

The concert, Make a Noise 2, also featured two bands featuring Sophie’s friends, Ded Mole Crickit and Coporial.

It was rounded off with a two minutes of ‘noise’ and 22 black balloons were released as the crowd sang Happy Birthday to Sophie.

Friend Kate Conboy-Greenwood said: “It was a very emotional end to a very positive night for Sophie.”