They should have been celebrating her 18th birthday. But on Saturday the friends and family of Hayley Jayne Roberts will join together at the school she loved to celebrate her life.

Hayley, from Elson Park, Ellesmere, died following a road accident near Whittington on December 29. Hundreds of mourners packed the town’s parish church to say goodbye to the teenager at the weekend.

Now a special memorial event is being organised at the Lakelands Secondary School and Sports College at 2pm on Saturday – the day that should have been Hayley’s 18th birthday.

Young people, with Lakelands headteacher Ryan Jervis and Reverend Andrew Evans, are putting together the “Celebration of Hayley’s Lifeâ with music, photographs and memories”.

Her parents, Carl and Linda Roberts, said all were welcome to go along and said they should contact the school this week if they wanted to make their own contribution to the memorial.

“Saturday would have been Hayley’s 18th birthday – a celebration. This will be a celebration of her life,” they said. Mr Jervis said Rev Evans would conduct an informal service.

“It will be made up of music, moments of reflection and contributions from friends. The celebration of no more than one hour will finish with a toast to Hayley,” he said.

As at the funeral, many are expected to wear pink or red, the teenager’s favourite colours.There will be a chance to give a donation in memory of Hayley to the County Air Ambulance and Hope House.

Mr Jervis said parking could pose a problem and asked those going along to park away from the school or to use the rear entrance, via Berwyn View.

By Sue Austin