The lasting legacy of schoolgirl Claire Tiltman looks set to continue with a road named in honour of the teenager and her family.

Residents in Greenhithe are calling for Fastrack Manor Way to be renamed Tiltman Way or Tiltman Avenue.

The fitting suggestion was first put forward on social media and quickly gained momentum, with backing from Claire’s childhood friends and the ward councillor, Keith Kelly (Con).

It is hoped the renaming will get the go ahead from Dartford council cabinet members next month.

Claire, who lived in nearby Stone, was 16 years old when she was brutally murdered in a frenzied knife attack in an alleyway off London Road, Greenhithe, just four days after her birthday in January 1993.

The Dartford Grammar School pupil, known affectionately by her pals as Tilt, was the only child of Linda and Cliff.

The family was well-known in the community, especially through their membership of the Greenhithe and Swanscombe British Legion Club.

Sadly, both Linda and Cliff died without seeing their daughter’s killer, former Swanscombe milkman Colin Ash-Smith, 47, brought to justice.

He was jailed for life with a minimum tariff of 21 years in December 2014, and saw an appeal bid rejected last year.

Now, the resident who first put forward the idea of naming the road – which runs from London Road at the junction with Craylands Lane in Swanscombe and through Ingress Park – said it was time to pay tribute to the Tiltman family.

Jo Knowles, who met Linda and Cliff while working behind the bar at the British Legion, said: “Claire’s death has always been a very negative thing for the area.

“People think of Greenhithe and say that’s where the girl was killed. Now that the individual responsible has been brought to justice it is time to start a new chapter and honour the family.

“Lin and Cliff carried on with so much dignity after Claire was taken from them. They were known as ‘that poor couple’ but they were also Lin and Cliff. There was so much love for them and so much love for Claire.

“If she had lived I am sure she would have gone on to be a firefighter as she wanted and we would be honouring her anyway for her valour.

“The whole tragedy hangs over the area and this would be something positive. We need to forget him (Ash-Smith) and remember Claire and her parents.”

The link road was initially named Fastrack Manor Way as it was only to be used by Arriva’s buses of the same name.

However, it has now been opened to all other vehicles, hence the call for a new name.

Ward councillor Keith Kelly asked for suggestions and was overwhelmed by the support for Mrs Knowles’s idea.

“When the council look at street naming or changing names of streets, it goes out to consultation but you very rarely get any response at all,” he said. “Now we have had up to 80 positive responses.”

Cllr Kelly spoke to Claire’s best friend from school, Lisa Gribbin who, on behalf of Claire’s extended family, has expressed support.

Cllr Kelly said: “What happened to Claire was such a heinous crime. It’s been an issue locally for more than 20 years and never gone from people’s minds.

“It’s a credit to Claire’s friends that they have kept it in the public eye for so long and have finally got the result with the conviction of Ash-Smith. It was just really sad her parents weren’t here to see that but this would be a very fitting tribute.”

Mrs Gribbin was undertaking her Duke of Edinburgh bronze award with Claire when her best friend was murdered.

The 39-year-old mother-of-four, who now lives in Scotland, said it was “heartwarming” that so many people wanted to remember Tilt and her family in so many ways.

“It’s wonderful to know that even though Claire, Linda and Cliff can’t be here with us anymore, they will always be here in the memory of so many.”

Other tributes to Claire include a memorial bench, a plaque at the spot where she was killed and a new youth centre soon to be built in Stone.

Kent Police will also honour Claire when they dedicate an award to her at a ceremony next month.

The Claire Tiltman Investigative Award will be presented by the chief constable, Alan Pughsley, in recognition of the officers or staff who have demonstrated significant investigative capability in a complex, critical and challenging environment, achieving demonstrable outstanding results.

Several of Claire’s friends, together with two of the officers involved in the cold case review which led to Ash-Smith’s conviction, have been invited to attend.

Joanne Roberts, who went to school with Claire, said the award would be a "wonderful" tribute to Tilt, as they knew her, and who hoped to join the fire service.

The 39-year-old added: "Had Tilt been allowed to live her life, she would have been 'that person' who truly made a huge difference to so many people's lives, when they really were in their hour of need.

"So to have an award to mark this same quality in an officer that has made a real difference really does make us very happy, and proud."

Four of the investigative team responsible for bringing Ash-Smith to justice were last year recognised by the chief constable for their “pivotal role” in what was one of Kent’s biggest murder investigations.

Mr Pughsley praised them for their “tremendous drive, attention to detail and tenaciousness”.