SHAFILEA Ahmed has been remembered on what would have been her 35th birthday.

The tragic teenager was murdered by her own parents in front of her siblings at the family’s home in Great Sankey in 2003.

Great Sankey High School and Priestley College student Shafilea would have turned 35 today, Wednesday.

Since 2015, July 14 has also been the National Day of Memory for victims of honour-based abuse.

Charity Karma Nirvana first established the commemoration, and founder Jasvinder Sanghera led the tributes to Shafilea today.

She tweeted: “Like many, she had ambitions to be educated, independent and go to university.

“But unlike most teenagers, her parents murdered her as such ambition was deemed dishonourable.

“Had she lived, Shafilea would now be qualified as a lawyer and enjoying life in her mid-30s.

“Shafilea repeatedly refused an arranged marriage.

“The violence meted out by her parents escalated months before her death.

“Ultimately, she was killed for her resistance.

Warrington Guardian:

Police searching the Ahmeds' home on Liverpool Road

“I campaigned for this day for all to raise awareness and for us never to forget.”

Shafilea was suffocated to death 18 years ago after having a plastic bag forced down her throat, with her body discovered in the Lake District five months later.

In 2012, mum and dad Farzana and Iftikhar Ahmed were convicted of her murder and each jailed for a minimum of 25 years.

Warrington Guardian:

The couple had believed that their daughter was becoming ‘too westernised’ and were angered that she had refused a forced marriage to her cousin in Pakistan.

Cheshire police and crime commissioner John Dwyer has also urged any victims of similar abuse to come forward.

He said: “It is estimated that there are 12 honour killings each year in the UK, although the exact number is unknown.

“No victim of crime should feel like they’re alone.

“So today, on what would have been Shafilea Ahmed’s 35th birthday, I want to encourage anyone who is experiencing abuse to speak out.

“There are support networks available to help victims and survivors, but if there is an immediate risk to life then 999 should be people’s first port of call.

“No-one should fear living their life how they want to, and be denied the freedoms that many of us take for granted.

“So-called honour based violence is often referred to as a hidden crime, and if you feel that someone you know might be at risk, please report it.

“I am committed to working with the chief constable to ensure we will continue to have a police service that is there to protect and serve everyone, especially those who are at risk of harm.”