Jill Dando's influential life and growing legacy have been celebrated at her former school, 25 years after her tragic passing.

The 'Jill Dando News Journalists' at Worle Community School Academy in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, hosted an event involving coffee and walnut cake, which was Ms Dando’s favourite.

This was done to commemorate her life and the positive legacy she left behind.

Ms Dando began her journalistic journey at the young age of 13, writing uplifting stories for the school magazine Merlin.

She later became a beloved and popular figure on British television in the 1990s.

In 2017, students, including Olivia Finch and Joshua Keyes, were inspired to initiate the Jill Dando News Centre at the academy.

Their mission was to spread positivity worldwide, with exuberance, authenticity, humility, kindness, empathy and aspiration.

Weston Mercury: The event marked 25 years since Jill's passing

Earlier this month students, ranging in ages from 9 to 19, gathered with Ms Dando's older brother Nigel Dando to cut a giant coffee and walnut cake provided by REVO restaurant and the Grand Pier, both places Ms Dando used to enjoy during her childhood.

Various locations across Weston-super-Mare also held charity events featuring coffee and walnut cake in memory of Jill.

Mr Dando said: "Jill has been an inspirational figure, not least for all the students involved with the news centres which bear her name.

"The tea and cake scheme is a wonderful idea, not least because it will benefit a number of good causes.

"And of course, coffee and walnut cake was a big family favourite."

Since its inception in 2017, the Jill Dando News Centre has enlarged its reach, spanning Somerset and extending to Africa, a continent which Ms Dando had a strong affinity for.

The project has been backed by two Prime Ministers, Sir Richard Branson, Sir Cliff Richard, Lord Archer and countless other world figures.

Notably, it provides progressive journalism training to youngsters, cultivating them as stalwarts of the future and encouraging the publication of positive news.

Olivia Finch, the first ever Jill Dando News reporter, reminisced as she said: "Jill inspired us from day one with her life.

"Jill Dando News is a fitting, expanding legacy for Jill who really was ‘the smiling face of Britain."

The program has accomplished immense feats, including being the first to interview the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson in August 2019 and promoting positive attitudes in journalism, a strategy believed to influence mental health positively.

Principal Mark Tidman said: "It is wonderful to see how out of tragedy our students have turned out so many positives.

"We want to remember Jill Dando, her incredible life and expanding legacy through the students who are doing brilliant things in her memory."

Michelle Michael, The Grand Pier Director, also expressed her delight in partnering with the Jill Dando News to celebrate her life and legacy.