HATE crime campaigner Sylvia Lancaster has revealed she is 'not confident' one of the gang members who assaulted her daughter's boyfriend will have his ban on entering Rossendale reinstated.

Ms Lancaster, whose daughter Sophie was murdered in the attack in 2007, said she believed Danny Hulme's ban would not be reinforced, despite the Ministry of Justice confirming that it will send a representative to argue the case at a Parole Board hearing on December 17.

Hulme, who was found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent against Robert Maltby, was barred from the borough when he was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison in October 2008.

But in July it emerged that Hulme, from Whitworth, had his licence relaxed to allow a family visit.

Ms Lancaster, who formed the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, an anti-hate crime charity, in the wake of her daughter’s death, said: "I think they're sending someone because of Jake Berry, the Rossendale MP, and whatever he has said. I'm not confident it will change anything, though.

"You never know decisions these people will come up with. It's due for December 17 in Manchester Crown Court and we'll just have to see what happens but I'm not expecting much."

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry, who has backed Ms Lancaster's plea to see Hulme banned from the Valley, has raised the matter with the Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling.

Andrew Selous MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice with responsibility for Prisons and Probation, has called the hearing and will send a representative to argue for Hulme's Rossendale ban to be reinforced.

An online petition calling for Hulme to be excluded from the borough has attracted 1,444 signatures.

Hulme, who was 16 at the time, his brother, Joseph, and a third boy, Daniel Mallet were all convicted of GBH against Mr Maltby.

Brendan Harris and Ryan Herbert were found guilty of murdering Sophie, 20, in Stubbylee Park, Bacup. Harris is serving a life-sentence while Herbert, who was given 16 years in prison, had his term reduced by nine months following an appeal.