4:12pm UK, Friday May 16, 2008

A memorial service for murdered teenager Jimmy Mizen will be held in London on Saturday afternoon.

Tragic teenager Jimmy Mizen

Hundreds of mourners are expected to pay tribute to the 16-year-old, who was attacked as he returned home from buying his first lottery ticket with one of his brothers.

Jimmy's parents Barry, 56, and Margaret, 55, paid loving tribute to their "saint" of a son and recalled the happy final few days they spent with him.

Mr Mizen, who is deputy chairman of governors at Jimmy's school, St Thomas More RC Secondary College, said: "On the night of his birthday he was going out with his friends and we cuddled him. That is just a great, great memory."

A 19-year-old accused of murdering the 16-year-old has been remanded in custody.

The memorial service will be at midday at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church, in Lee, south east London.

The cross denominational memorial service will be preceded by a two-minute silence.

After the service, the mourners will then walk down to the bakery where Jimmy was murdered, just 50 metres from the church.

Jimmy's sister, Samantha, will lay a single lily at the scene, while his parents Margaret and Barry will lay an olive branch as a sign of peace.

Markus Ryan, Jimmy's head teacher, paid tribute to the tragic teenager, and promised full support for his shocked classmates.

"Jimmy was a very well liked, gentle student who always tried his best," he said.

"Jimmy comes from a loving, large, Catholic family and our thoughts and prayers are with Jimmy and his family at this very sad time.

"His father is deputy chair of governors at the school and plays an active role in supporting the school, its staff and all our students.

"The school community is extremely shocked and saddened by this tragic event.

"This week would have been the start of the GCSE examination period for Jimmy and his year group.

"We will be considering very carefully any additional support we may need to offer to Jimmy's classmates during this already stressful time."