The family of a schoolgirl killed by a drug driver have pledged to “keep her memory alive” after decorating her new memorial on what would have been her 13th birthday.

Nicola Waters paid tribute to her daughter Lily Lockwood at a bench created by firefighters at Dartford Fire Station, close to where she was killed.

Lily was just 10 years old when she was mown down by a drug driver in Watling Street, just metres from her home in Stone, in July 2021.

Mum Nicola was joined by children Mia, 18, Taylor, 16, and Courtney, seven and mum Kim Wilkins and her extended family yesterday (May 28) as they paid tribute to Lily by decorating her memorial with pink and purple balloons.

“It would have been Lily’s 13th birthday, but our beautiful Lily was taken from us,” Nicola said. “We will always keep her memory alive.”

The wooden bench was installed earlier this month, close to where the Brent Primary School pupil was when she was struck by a yellow Audi S1, near the junction with Meadow Way.

Lily was taken to King’s College Hospital and put on life support but despite the best efforts of doctors she died shortly after on July 12.

A medical cause of death was given as "catastrophic brain injuries" related to a road traffic incident.

Ex-cabbie Gavin Prodger, 53, from Rochester, is serving a 12-year prison sentence for causing her death while having excess drugs in his system, including cocaine.

Nicola used to visit a make-shift memorial at the fire station but is now pleased to have somewhere permanent to remember her daughter.