Grace O'Malley-Kumar has been remembered for choosing "friendship over fear" at a service marking the first anniversary of the Nottingham attacks.

Roses were laid down at the scene where Grace and fellow university student Barnaby Webber, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates were killed by paranoid schizophrenic Valdo Calocane.

The ceremony took place at the University of Nottingham and included a period of silence.

Flowers were laid by fellow students and relatives on the morning of June 13 where Barnaby and Grace were attacked.

Grace's father, Dr Sanjoy Kumar, told the memorial service that his daughter had chosen "friendship over fear" and "fought valiantly" to protect her friend.

Her mother, Sinead O’Malley, had been a consultant anaesthetist at The Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, according to the Irish Times.

Grace, who played at London’s Southgate Hockey Club and attended Bancroft’s School in Woodford Green, hoped to follow in her family's footsteps and become a doctor.

Grace's father said she chose 'friendship over fear'Grace (left) with her family (Image: Nottinghamshire Police)

Speaking to the BBC News at One, David Webber, Barnaby's father, said: "It’s hard but it’s important to be here for Barney and Grace and Ian.

"It’s a really difficult day for us.

"I would much rather have curled into a ball and stayed in my bedroom."

Regarding the letter sent by Calocane's family, David said: "We’ve never read it and that might sound awful, but to me it’s not something I want to read.

"He’s a monster.

"There is nothing they can say that’s going to make me feel any different.

"I have lost my son forever.

"They’ve still got theirs."

Professor Shearer West, Nottingham University’s vice-chancellor, said: "A year ago, our university, and the city of Nottingham, were forever changed by the deaths of Barney, Grace and Ian.

"Grace and Barney will always be part of the University of Nottingham family.

"I am moved by the inspiring work that continues in their names and so proud of their impact in our community."

In a joint statement, relatives of the three victims said they took time on Thursday to remember "the souls of the three vibrant, caring, hard-working and much loved family members who are no longer here".