FRIENDS and family of tragic Jourdan Griffiths gathered at the scene of his murder for an emotional celebration of his life to mark the first anniversary of his death.

Jourdan's mother Moya decorated the derelict Buckinghamshire House with bunches of brightly coloured balloons.

She then hugged and thanked all of Jourdan's friends - about 50 people – for attending the vigil on Tuesday night.

Floral tributes and candles were lay at the scene, before friends scribbled heartfelt messages across the boarded up windows of the building in White Hart Street.

One tribute read: “A sadness still comes over us, tears in silence flow, memory keeps you near us, though you died a year ago.

“When one by one we meet again, as it dawn another year, in our lonely hours of thinking, thoughts of you are near. Forever a sunflower in our hearts.”

Another simply read: “Jourdan, we all miss you.”

Some of Jourdan's favourite songs were then played from a portable CD player, before tearful Moya paid homage to her “special and amazing” son.

Popular High Wycombe man Jourdan, 20, was stabbed to death on June 29 last year.

Bucks Free Press: Moya speaks at Jourdan vigil She said: “On behalf of my son, thank you for making time to come here, he would have been so proud that the people that were close to him and loved him came out.

“We all know, Jourdan was a good guy. He was there for everyone, it didn't matter what problem, he was there and I'm so, so proud of him.

“I'm also so proud of all of you, the people that cared for him. All of you here means to me that he was really something special and he touched all of our lives.

“He was always something special, there was something about him. I don't know where he got it from, maybe it was God I don't know.

“But I have to thank you all for your support over the last year, it has been the most awful year of my life but I will never ever forget all of you and I applaud you.”

She then pleaded for her family and friends to be left in peace, before saying: “My son was amazing and he lives on in all of our hearts and he his part of all of you.

“I salute him. Party over.”

Friends shed tears and embraced each other as the crowd raised a toast to Jourdan before more poignant songs echoed out across the near-empty town centre.

Jourdan's best friend David Pickup, who addressed the congregation during the funeral at St Andrews Church in July last year, said: “His memory lives on in everyone here.”

Friend Jenny Bulpett said: “A year ago God decided he needed another angel. You left us all broken hearted but lit up the skies with laughter.

“You may be gone but you will live on in everyone forever.”

- THREE men jailed for murdering Jourdan Griffiths have appealed against their convictions.

Lotto Williams, 19, formerly of Whitelands Road, High Wycombe, and 22-year-old Christopher Joseph, of Grenfell Avenue, High Wycombe – were given life sentences earlier this month after being found guilty of killing 20-year-old Mr Griffiths.

Kieren George, 17, of Spearing Road, was sentenced to ten years behind bars after being found guilty of murder following the four-week trial at Reading Crown Court.

They appealed against their convictions on Monday.