THE parents of an Enfield schoolgirl killed in a road accident received a message of support from Prime Minister Tony Blair this week.

THE parents of an Enfield schoolgirl killed in a road accident received a message of support from Prime Minister Tony Blair this week.

Mr Blair paid tribute to the 'bravery and courage' shown by George and Giulietta Galli-Atkinson in the wake of their 16-year-old daughter Livia's death.

The tribute came at the presentation of the annual Livia Award, which will reward professionalism and service to justice within the police force.

This year's recipient was Detective Constable Ron Cuthbertson, 47, based at Hendon Training School.

DC Cuthbertson was nominated for the award in recognition of his long-standing work in dealing with the families of road traffic accident victims.

The presentation was made in the House of Commons by Chief Superintendent Mike McAndrew on Monday.

The ceremony, which included a rendition of the anthem You'll Never Walk Alone by members of the Vita at Pax Primary School Choir, was hosted by Enfield Southgate MP Stephen Twigg.

The award scheme was set up by the Galli-Atkinson family after Livia was knocked down and killed by a car that mounted the pavement in Windmill Hill, Enfield, on January 12 1998.

The man who drove the vehicle was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving. He was fined £2,000 and banned from driving for five years.

Since the verdict the Galli-Atkinson family has campaigned vigorously for judges to impose tougher sentences on motorists who kill.