FAMILY and friends of a young woman who was brutally murdered in front of her colleagues by her lover’s jealous ex have taken part in a charity walk in her memory.

Around 60 walkers gathered at Alnwick Moor, Northumberland, for a six-mile hike to mark the death of Cassie Hayes, 28, whose throat was slit by Andrew Burke as she worked at a branch of travel agents Tui in Southport, Merseyside.

The assistant manager was murdered by the ex-partner of her girlfriend Laura Williams, on January 13 last year.

Burke, 31, who pleaded guilty to murder at Liverpool Crown Court, was jailed for life in April.

Cassie’s devastated mother Tracy Hayes, 54, of Ryton, Gateshead, said: “There was a really good turn out for the walk and a fantastic atmosphere, but it was also really emotional.

“Lots of people had travelled up from Southport, including all of Cassie’s colleagues from Tui.

“We wanted to do something positive to mark the anniversary of Cassie’s death next week and also to raise money for charity.“It was a lovely day and lots of fun and I am really grateful to everyone who came.”

Among those walking were Cassie’s daughter Ruby, five, sister Nadine, 33, her grandmother Laura Fife, 83, nephew Leon, two, and niece Daisy, five.

The two customers who Cassie was serving when she was murdered also travelled from Southport to take partin the hike, which was organised by Tracy and Nadine.

The walkers raised in excess of £2,000 for Victim Support, ABTA Lifeline and Tuiwho Tracy says have given her family “outstanding support” in the wake of her daughter’s murder, with funds still being counted.