THE mother of murdered 20-year-old Sophie Lancaster picked up an OBE yesterday for her services to community cohesion.

Sylvia Lancaster, who founded the Sophie Lancaster Foundation in her daughter’s memory, was honoured by the Prince of Wales for her work in stamping out hate crimes.

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And Sylvia said she was especially touched that the Prince of Wales knew all about Sophie’s tragic death in 2007.

She said: “He talked about Sophie, and about gang culture. I am sure she would be proud. To be here in Buckingham Palace, it is very special. It is not just about the work that we do, it is a validation of the work that we do and of the alternative subcultures as well.”

Sophie died after she and her boyfriend Rob Maltby, then 21, were set upon by drunk teenagers in Stubbylee Park, Bacup. The gang turned on the pair because of their alternative appearance and Sophie was kicked and stamped on as she cradled her injured boyfriend.

Both fell into comas but Sophie never regained consciousness and died in hospital 13 days later. In tribute to Sophie’s goth appearance, Sylvia decided to wear some alternative accessories for the special day at Buckingham Palace.

She said: “I have got a velvet bag with a skull on it and that is because it represents the subcultures, and I wanted to bring them with me. That is my thing . . . and my funky nails. When I was younger I was always quite different, but I really never had the nerve to dress like that, but I like the touches.”

She said she hoped her charity, which aims to challenge prejudices towards people from alternative subcultures and campaigns on hate crime legislation, would offer troubled youngsters hope.

She said: “We got a letter from a dad whose daughter was being bullied in school - the kids had even given her razor blades.

“Her dad was saying ‘thankfully there’s someone we can talk to and you have made it easier’.”

Sylvia said she had stayed in touch with Rob, who has spent the years since the attack rebuilding his life.

She said: “Rob should be allowed to get on with his own life and thankfully he is doing that.”

MP Jake Berry supported Sylvia’s campaign and said the OBE was fully deserved.

He said: “This honour is a recognition of the outstanding work that Sylvia has done to stamp out hate crimes in our society.

“Sylvia, who was affected by a huge tragedy when Sophie was murdered, has taken that experience and turned it round to helping thousands of people across our country who are subjected to similar hateful acts.”