The mother of murdered teenager Rachel Long has dedicated her recent degree to her daughter's memory, writes Emma Henry.

Christine Long, 43, of Stockham Park, Wantage, was in the second year of an educational studies degree at Oxford Brookes University when her 21-year-old daughter was fatally stabbed at a birthday party in Grove in January 1998.

Party-goer Matthew Smith, 30, of Hermon Close, Abingdon, was jailed for life for the murder in June 1998.

Mrs Long, a supermarket assistant, had been due to start a new term the day after the murder. She took time off to be with her husband and four other children.

But she later returned to finish her course because she knew that was what Rachel would have wanted.

Mrs Long said: "It was a terrible time for all the family.

"I did not know how I was going to complete my studies at Oxford Brookes I felt as though I couldn't be bothered with anything.

"I feel this is an opportunity to dedicate my degree to the memory of my daughter Rachel, and to say a big thank you to the staff and students who supported me during the worst experience of my life. "The support I received from staff at Brookes was second to none. Thanks to them, I managed to cope with a very harrowing murder trial and appeal while studying for my degree."

Mrs Long, who has been working as a community learning administrator at Abingdon College since finishing her studies, will graduate with a 2:1 on Saturday, September 16, at Brookes.

She is about to embark on a counselling course and is also interested in supporting other victims of crime.