FORMER Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Juliet Landau has given her backing to the Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

The Californian actress, who played Drusilla in the hit TV show, held a fundraiser for the Haslingden-based anti-hate crime charity in Los Angeles last night (FRIDAY).

She auctioned off signed Buffy merchandise and scripts at the launch of a new short film she has produced, Dream Out Loud.

Landau, who also starred in Buffy spin-off series Angel, has also posted pictures of herself modelling Sophie merchandise on Twitter and encouraged her fans to support the campaign.

Sophie, from Haslingden, was murdered in August 2007 after she was attacked in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, because she was dressed in gothic clothing.

Speaking last year, Miss Landau said: “I am horrified by what happened to Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend Rob Maltby.

“It seems unfathomable to me that people can be this evil, hateful, ugly and violent. I’m moved beyond words by Sophie’s spirit and loving nature. She protected her boyfriend during the attack.

“Sophie’s mum, Sylvia is an inspiration. She founded this organisation as a legacy to her daughter, with the aim of providing education about prejudice and intolerance by going into schools, youth groups and prisons.

“People’s creativity and individuality is a thing to celebrate and nurture not to destroy.”

A long-time supporter of the foundation, Miss Landau previously raised money for it by selling rare comics on eBay.

Kate Conboy-Greenwood, campaign manager for the foundation, said: “What’s amazing is that they came to us and bought loads of merchandise after hearing about Sophie’s story.

“They are really good ambassadors and really good about raising more awareness and sending out information to their contacts. We are thrilled to have their support.”