Last memorial for New Cross Fire

The families will remember their relatives privately

The final annual memorial for the 14 black youngsters killed in the New Cross fire has been held - 25 years after the tragedy.

Lewisham Council and the victims' families said they had decided to stop the memorials because they wanted to remember their relatives privately.

Two £10,000 student bursaries will still be awarded in their memory.

The memorial was held at St Andrew's United Reformed Church in Brockley, south-east London.

We have decided... to focus on private remembrance Sandra Ruddock, mother of victim

Sandra Ruddock, who lost her 22-year-old son Paul in the fire, said: "This is not the end of the families' committee, which is still going strong and which will continue to support the bursary scheme.

"However, because some of our members are getting older, we have decided not to hold the memorial every year and instead focus on private remembrance and key anniversaries.

"We are extremely grateful for all the help and support Steve Bullock and Lewisham Council have given us over the years."

Open verdict

The New Cross Awards bursaries aim to help two young people from the area who would not normally go to university to study at Goldsmiths College.

Families of the victims have campaigned for an open verdict to be overturned on the deaths at a house party in 1981.

But a High Court judge ruled last year that there was not enough evidence to replace that verdict with one of unlawful killing.

The names of all the victims were read out at the service.