TRIBUTES have been paid at a memorial which marked the 18th birthday of a girl who died last year.

Family and friends celebrated the life of Kay Whiteman on Saturday at an event held at Marriotts School in Stevenage, where she was a student.

Miss Whiteman had suffered from pectus excavatum, a condition causing deformation of the ribs and sternum, and was undergoing treatment when complications arose during surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

She was put into an induced coma and died in June last year.

Mother Angela said: “It’s so sad because she had so much to live for. It was good to see her friends bring along old photos and memories. We all gave her a good send off.”

Miss Whiteman had been engaged to fellow school student James Davis.

Speaking of the tributes given, he said: “It was a great evening. I was happy to see people come together to remember Kay. We all miss her so much.”

Friends posted online messages wishing her a happy birthday. One wrote: “Happy birthday Kay... You always were special to each and every one of us. I hope everyone up in heaven is spoiling you rotten.”