Balloons were released in memory of Natalie Jarvis in Swanley Village

The grieving family and friends of murdered Natalie Jarvis have released balloons on what would have been her 24th birthday.

A crowd gathered to mark the date at the spot where she was killed by her boyfriend Adam Whelehan, who was jailed for life on Thursday.

Led by Natalie's parents Mark and Adele as well as sister Gemma, they sent balloons with touching birthday messages into the sky in Swanley Village yesterday.

Mourners also laid flowers at the spot in Swanley Village Road where Natalie, from Swanley, died after having her throat slit by Whelehan.

Before the ceremony, Mark said: "Wherever you are in the world please take time out to remember her and smile and laugh at your memories of the times you shared."

Natalie's father Mark, sister Gemma and mother Adele led the ceremony where floral tributes were also laid (below)

Whelehan, 23, shook his head as he was told by a judge he must serve at least 26 years for murdering Natalie on October 3 last year.

The "evil" BT apprentice engineer hatched a plot to kill Natalie - whom he said he believed to be pregnant - because he saw it as the only way of ending their relationship.

Natalie Jarvis was murdered by boyfriend Adam Whelehan

He was convicted after a trial at Maidstone Crown Court - when jurors acquitted his friend Thomas Fuller, also 23, of Oakley Drive, Eltham, of the same charge.

Judge Philip Statman said Whelehan, of Roseberry Avenue, Sidcup, had not decided to kill Natalie the night before, but it was premeditation nurtured over many weeks.