Balloons will be set off from Deal pier tonight (Sunday) in memory of teenager Mara Nunes who died one year ago today.

Mara, 18, was killed in a collision with a silver Vauxhall Astra on the A258 between Ringwould and Walmer on Saturday, January 10, 2015.

Now friends of the former Sandwich Technology pupil have once again organised a balloon event on the beach in her memory, which they did a couple of weeks after her death last year.

School friend Chloe White said: “We are setting balloons off for my friend Mara Nunes for her year anniversary. We are hoping for a great outcome.”

A Facebook group which has been set up to publicise the event says there will be more than 70 people attending at 6.30pm.

The friends will then go to the Sir Norman Wisdom to toast Mara’s life.

The Facebook group said: “We’ve decided to keep it in the same place as last year (left hand side of the pier) since Mara loved the beach so much and letting balloons off gives everyone a chance to send her their own little message.

“We’ll be heading to have a drink in spoons after as we all know Mara loved a drink and we want this to be a celebration of her life and how great a person she was.

“Feel free to invite anyone you like, and bring along your own balloons.”

The 18-year-old lived in Walmer and before that she lived in Tilmanstone with her foster carer Christine Mountain for five years.

She also attended Sandwich Tech where she enjoyed English literature and drama and helped to mentor younger students.

She completed Year 11 with 11 GCSEs before leaving school in 2014.

Her funeral was held in Guernsey where family members of the teenager live.