A ROSE has been named after a young woman killed in Kashmir as her mother seeks justice for the 24-year-old.

Sarah Groves, who lived in Knutsford and Alderley Edge as a child, was killed in 2013 on a houseboat, and the man accused of her murder is still on trial after more than five years.

When Sarah was a baby the Groves family moved from Alderley Edge to Legh Road in Knutsford, and Sarah attended Mount Carmel RC School - now known as Alderley Edge School for Girls - from the age of three.

Although the family moved from Knutsford to Guernsey in 1996 it has retained strong links with Cheshire, including many friends and acquaintances in and around the area.

Sarah’s brother Tom lives in Macclesfield. He has two daughters, both of who attend the same school as Sarah did.

The Sarah Elizabeth rose is exclusive to Fryer’s Roses and is named after Sarah.

It is a delicate pink colour, and £1 from every Sarah Elizabeth rose sold through Blue Diamond and Fryer's Roses online will be donated to the Sarah Groves Foundation, a charitable trust launched in her memory.

The rose was launched at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, and is available to order and will be available to buy from any Blue Diamond Garden Centre, which includes Fryer’s Roses at Knutsford, from April 2019.

“It is beyond tragic that Sarah was brutally and mercilessly murdered,” said Sarah’s mother Kate.

“She was immensely popular with everyone who met her.

“The horrific tragedy received massive international coverage at the time, and we have been on Granada Television a number of occasions because the man accused of Sarah’s murder is still on trial after more than five years.

“Despite immense and relentless efforts on our part with the British, Dutch and Indian governments to show the respect and gravitas the trial deserves little or no progress has been made in this regard.

“We feel sure there are many readers of the Guardian who will remember Sarah and us and who would be very interested to read about the connection.

“We desperately need to maintain awareness of our plight in the public eye if we have any hope of finding justice for Sarah.

“A charitable trust named the Sarah Groves Foundation has been established in her memory, born out of love for Sarah.

“It is based on four principles - children, art, fitness and adventure - all were very dear to Sarah’s heart, and the mission statement is ‘Enhancing Young Lives’.

“The petition hopes to achieve three aims - for the British Government to lodge a formal complaint to the Indian Government about the unacceptable manner in which the trial is being conducted; for the authorities in Kashmir to treat this trial with the respect it deserves, and for the recall of all the main witnesses for cross-examination by a suitably-qualified defence counsel.”

Jill Kerr, buyer/events manager for Blue Diamond, said: “Blue Diamond was delighted to be able to assist the family and help the Sarah Groves Foundation by launching this lovely rose in Sarah’s memory.”

To sign the petition visit sarahgroves.org/justice-for-sarah-petition