'We'll never get over Dunblane': Father of Black Country girl killed in atrocity

As the nation remembers the 20th anniversary of the horrific shootings, the Cradley school where tragic young victim Charlotte Dunn once attended has now launched a new prize in her memory.

Cradley C of E Primary School created the Charlotte Dunn Award after discussions with her parents.

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Charlotte, aged five, grew up in the Black Country and spent her reception year at Cradley Primary before moving up to Scotland with her family.

But just nine months later she was murdered alongside 15 other pupils and one teacher at Dunblane Primary School on March 13, 1996 when gunman Thomas Hamilton opened fire.

Cradley headteacher Marcia Harris, who taught Charlotte in reception, said: "The award will be a character award and will be given to a child who exemplifies our school values."

It will be presented by Charlotte's parents Barbara and Martyn at the school's Easter church service on the last day of term, March 24.

Mr Dunn, 55, said the award would both honour his daughter's memory and reward the efforts of current children.

He told the Express & Star: "Twenty-one years ago Marcia was Charlotte's teacher and after the events of Dunblane she was in touch and very upset that one of her past children had been taken away from the world.

"Since then we've kept in touch and she has become a very close friend.

"She became the headmistress at the school which is a great achievement for her and we were very pleased about that.

"She always remembers Charlotte and sends flowers for birthdays and anniversaries which is lovely.

"It's nice that Cradley Primary still continues to remember Charlotte 20 years later and when we visited the children all knew who we were – Charlotte's mum and dad.

"We wanted to present an award in honour of Charlotte and to reward some of the children from the school."

Mrs Harris added: "This year Barbara and Martyn came to see me at Christmas and said they would like to fund a Charlotte Dunn award. Teachers will put pupils' names forward and it will be based on character."

Charlotte, aged five, moved to Scotland with her family from their home in Apperley Way, Cradley, just nine months before the fatal shooting.

Mr Dunn said the family will never fully recover from Charlotte's death but are continuing to move along the grieving process.

"It's terrible, we lost a daughter and we will never fully recover from that."

However, out of the tragedy Mrs Dunn said he and his wife had forged new friendships - particularly with Pamela and Kenny Ross, whose five-year-old daughter Joanna was also killed.

They were the last two couples left in a waiting room at Dunblane Primary to find out about their children's fate. That shared experience has helped the couple's friendship blossom.

"But since then Pamela and Kenny have become very good friends."

Following the massacre which has its 20th anniversary tomorrow, Mr Dunn, his wife and surviving child Alex returned to the Midlands from Dunblane to Kidderminster as part of a long-planned move.

But just a year later they moved back up to the Stirlingshire town - where they still live - to take advantage of the comfort blanket provided by being close to the other bereaved families.

Flowers are still sent annually by Cradley C of E to mark Charlotte's birthday and the anniversary of the massacre, while prayers are held at the school every year on March 13 to give thanks for Charlotte's life.