DILLON Hull will be remembered as the five-year-old whose bright, young life was tragically cut short by a gun.

Those who knew him remembered him as a loveable little boy who was a ray of light in the community where he grew up.

He had lived in Walsh Street and Mosley Street near Blackburn Royal Infirmary until just a few months before his death.

The mother of a classmate of Dillon's in his days at Longshaw CP School, Blackburn, said: "He was just an ordinary, happy little five year old."

His former headteacher at Pikes Lane School, Bolton, Bill Handforth described Dillon as a "delightful, lively, bubbly little boy" who was adored by his teachers.

Local residents recall Dillon as an outgoing child who had a smile for everyone whenever he played out in the streets near his home.

The depth of hurt still felt means that residents living near the spot where Dillon was gunned down a year ago will be uniting tomorrow to lay floral tributes at the permanent memorial sited next to his former home in Jauncey Street, Deane, Bolton.

The simple memorial plaque, flanked by two hanging baskets and a wall box of flowers, is a constant reminder of the tragedy. The bronze plaque is decorated with an embossed teddy bear and says: "In memory of Dillon Hull, a small flower picked and placed in God's heavenly garden. Born November 29, 1991. Shot and killed on this spot August 6, 1997. A tragic death."

Tomorrow it will be the focus for emotional reflections on the brutal death of a hugely popular young boy.

One local resident, who only wants to be known as Marie, has become well-known in the area as an unofficial guardian of the memorial.

She said: "Lots of people have been stopping me in the street or in the shops and asking 'Is it OK if we put some flowers there on the anniversary?'

"For months after it happened you just didn't see children out in the street. But lately when I've been sat in the front I've heard the sound of them playing and laughing."

The woman who cradled Dillon in her arms after he was gunned down re-lives the horrifying incident in her mind every single day.

Mary Cooper, of Parkinson Street, Bolton, will never forget the tragic events of a sunny summer afternoon a year ago. After the chilling sound of gun shots reverberated just yards from her home she was one of the first to react as the full horror of what had happened unfolded.

Mrs Cooper, 60, said: "There isn't a day goes by when I don't think about Dillon and what happened.

"It's one of those things you just never can forget. I can still see his little face as he was lying there on the floor.

"And I remember it seemed like an eternity before the ambulance came. It wasn't of course, but it just felt like it at the time."

She added: "I didn't sleep at all the night after it happened. I couldn't stop thinking about it. It had a big effect on everyone round here.

"Dillon was such a lovely lad and well liked by everybody. He had an infectious personality."

Rev Steve Abram of St George the Martyr in Church Avenue was called on by relatives of Dillon and local residents to lead a memorial service in memory of the young boy last year.

Rev Abram said: "That was a very emotional time obviously. Since then the community seems to have been quite quiet. It certainly seemed to be a comfort to people that there was a quick arrest by the police, although obviously they are still waiting to see what happens in court."

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