THE life of a law student who was tragically murdered in a drive-by shooting has been honoured at an annual awards ceremony.

Blackburn was shaken to its core in May when innocent Aya Hachem was shot dead when she walked along King Street in the town, as she was returning home from a trip to the supermarket.

It soon became apparent that Miss Hachem had not been the intended target of the attack when she was struck by a bullet fired from inside a passing car.

The ambitious 19-year-old, who was a Lebanese national, had just completed her second year at Salford University where she was studying to become a solicitor,

Now the Law Society, the professional association that represents and governs solicitors in England and Wales, has honoured Miss Hachem by issuing one of their annual awards in her name.

The move to recognise Miss Hachem came about after London-based solicitor Sahar Farroqi attempted to have the student’s name added to the official roll of solicitors following her death, by starting an online petition entitled ‘Put Aya on the Roll.’

Mr Farooqi said: “Sadly, to add Aya posthumously to the roll would have required legislative change.

"Nonetheless the presidents of the Law Society, worked with me to create a simple but meaningful tribute to honour Aya.

"Her family will also be welcomed at the society, when it is possible, to receive a framed letter commemorating Aya’s life and legal ambitions.”

Last week, Sengova Kailondo was named the Law Society’s junior solicitor of the year in an award issued in memory of Aya.

Mr Farooqi added: “Thank you to everyone who put their name forward, who messaged me and who backed the project.

"We set out to achieve something resembling positivity from the darkness of tragedy and if nothing else, to afford Aya’s name some of the light it was robbed of. We did that. May she rest in eternal peace.”

* Eight people, from addresses in Blackburn, Greater Harwood and Partington, have now been charged with the murder of Miss Hachem and the attempted murder of their intended target.

All are due to stand trial next year.