Friends of a teenage schoolboy who was stabbed to death seven years ago have raised more than £9,000 in his memory to help other crime victims.

Friends of Ian Gamble, who was 16, have handed over £1,256 to Charles Chatterton, co-ordinator of the Wear Valley and Teesdale Victim Support Group.

Ian's mother, Sheila, of Corn Close, Startforth, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, said: "I am really grateful that they are still doing all they can to keep his memory alive and help crime victims."

Ian, a pupil at Teesdale School, was stabbed in Barnard Castle by a youth, who was charged with murder but acquitted because no intent was proved.

At the time, Mrs Gamble received support from Mr Chatterton, so she and a group of Ian's friends decided to regularly raise money to help the service.

The latest sum was raised from a race night, a raffle and a sponsored run.

The group has plans to raise more money, with Chris Venis, Richard Patterson and Lee Hammond taking part in the Great North Run, and Terri-Leigh Middlemass doing a sky-dive.

Mrs Gamble said: "They are all lovely young people. Ian was part of their group, so I like to think he would now be just as fine a person as they are."

Mr Chatterton said: "I am really pleased about the superb things these young folk do in memory of their friend."