Hundreds attend Damilola service

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has joined families of teenagers killed in violent attacks at a service to mark the eighth anniversary of Damilola Taylor's death.

Damilola, 10, was stabbed in the leg and bled to death in Peckham, south London, in November 2000.

His father Richard Taylor dedicated the day to "all the children who have been taken" since his death.

Tory leader David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson joined hundreds of people at Southwark Cathedral.

Twenty-eight teenagers have been killed in attacks in London since the beginning of this year.

"How many other aspiring doctors, footballers, pop stars or Olympic athletes have we lost?""
Dame Kelly Holmes

Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, footballer Rio Ferdinand and newscaster Sir Trevor McDonald joined some 30 families who have lost youngsters to gun and knife crime at the service.

Sir Trevor told the congregation that "enough is enough".

"We can, we must and we will prevail over the evils in our society. It is the legacy we have been left by those we have lost," he added.

Remembering the youngsters killed since Damilola, Dame Kelly said: "How many other aspiring doctors, footballers, pop stars or Olympic athletes have we lost?"

A choir from Damilola's primary school, Oliver Goldsmith, also sang during the 90-minute service.

The youngster's father said the day was "very significant".

Mr Taylor said: "Today my son Damilola should have been looking forward to his 19th birthday in a few weeks time.

"Today we are joined together instead to remember him on the eighth anniversary of his being taken so cruelly from the bosom of his family.

"I would like to dedicate this day of days to all the children who have been taken from their families in the eight years that have followed.

"I know you feel the pain that I feel and I know that like me you will feel it forever," he added.