A MOTHER marked the anniversary of her son's death at the hands of a mentally ill gunman by demanding to know how the tragedy was allowed to happen.

Carole Rigby, her daughters Maria and Paula and mother Mary gathered at the family home in Blackburn this weekend to remember Anthony, who died on January 11 last year.

He lost his life four days after he was shot at his flat in Swift Close, Larkhill, by Mark Harrington.

And today, on what would have been his 20th birthday, they vowed to fight on until they find out from health chiefs how Harrington, who had been treated as an outpatient at Queen's Park Hospital's psychiatric unit, was allowed to be free. Harrington, 20, who was 19 at the time of the shooting, was detained indefinitely at a secure mental unit in September after pleading guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility. The court heard how Anthony was top of a hitlist of friends he had warned he would 'blow away'.

Harrington's paranoia resulted in him purchasing a .38 Olympic handgun. He crudely re-activated the weapon by boring the barrel with a drill.

Carole has now drawn up a list of 11 questions she wants answered by an independent inquiry due to start later this month into the care Harrington, of St James Road, received in the months leading up to the shooting.

Among them are:

What tests were carried out which proved he was not a risk to the public?

Did staff at Queen's Park find out about Harrington's fascination with firearms during any risk assessment?

Was Harrington ever guilty of any violence against staff at Queen's Park?

During the sentencing at Preston Crown Court in September, Judge Openshaw QC described Anthony as 'totally blameless'.

The inquiry is being overseen by Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust, which commissioned the mental health treatment Harrington received. The panel was formally appointed just before Christmas and it is expected to take around six months to formulate its findings, with an interim report proposed after three months.

Any recommendations from the inquiry will be made public and the PCT will discuss them with Lancashire Care Trust, which took over provision of mental health services in the spring.

David Brunskill, Director of Corporate Development for the PCT confirmed the inquiry has started and has met twice so far this month.

He said the first stage, which is under way, involved interviewing all the key people involved including medical, nursing and social work staff.

The second stage will focus on developing a comprehensive picture of Harrington's treatment and the final stage will determine whether his care was appropriate.

The inquiry panel intend to interview Mrs Rigby and Harrington's mother and they are being invited to a meeting in February.

Carole, of Corwen Close, said: "My son's death was pointless and I will not give up until I get answers. I want to make sure no family has to go through the hell we've been through."

On Saturday, the family took flowers, pictures, poems and candles to Pleasington Crematorium where Anthony's funeral was held. They also took birthday presents which they laid at his shrine at mum Carole's home.

She said a year on from his death she still lights a candle every day for Anthony.

Carole said: "Every day is torture without Anthony. We're never going to get over what happened. Christmas and New Year was terrible -- the first without Anthony. His ashes are here at the house. I can't bear to let them go."

The family now plan to have a tree planted at Pleasington and a plaque put up.