COLCHESTER victims of a horrific bombing in London 25 years ago have been remembered at an emotional memorial event.

Hundreds of people gathered outside and inside the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho, where a nail bomb detonated 25 years ago, which took the lives of three people. 

Andrea Dykes, 27, John Light, 32, both from Colchester and Nik Moore were killed during the horrific attack, while more than one hundred people were injured. 

Andrea’s husband Julian, 41, was left in a coma for several weeks after suffering extensive burns and injuries from nails lodged in his lungs. 

Gazette: Remembering - The Admiral Duncan, where the bomb exploded on April 30, 1999, welcomed friends, families and survivorsRemembering - The Admiral Duncan, where the bomb exploded on April 30, 1999, welcomed friends, families and survivors (Image: Roddy Ashworth)

A procession, led by wreath-carrying senior representatives of the emergency services and Patricia McAllister, mayor of Westminster, walked solemnly along Old Compton Street to St Anne’s Church Garden at 6.10pm. 

A two-minute silence was observed, beginning at 6.37pm, exactly a quarter of a century after the bomb had exploded and tore through the bar. 

Gary Partridge, John Light’s partner, survived the attack, but the horrors of that day have never left him. 

He said: “Whilst the physical scars may have healed over the past 25 years, the sense of loss seems to increase with every passing anniversary.  

Gazette: Survivor - Gary Partridge survived the horrific attack, but the horror of that night have never left himSurvivor - Gary Partridge survived the horrific attack, but the horror of that night have never left him (Image: Roddy Ashworth)

"Three beautiful young lives so violently ended. You wonder what they could have achieved in life if they were here with us today. 

"I still cannot comprehend how someone can hold such hate that would drive him to carry out such senseless attacks, on people he didn’t even know. 

"I am so grateful to all my friends and family that have supported me throughout the past 25 years." 

The service concluded with the London Gay Men’s Chorus singing “A Little Respect”, a song by the band Erasure, which has been adopted as a song of defiance against attacks on the LGBT+ community and its members. 

Speaking after the service, Rev Simon Buckley, rector of St Anne's Church, said: "The fact there are so many people here represents the strength of the community. 

Gazette: Remembering - Rev Simon Buckley, rector of St Anne's Church, Soho, shared his condolences during an emotional serviceRemembering - Rev Simon Buckley, rector of St Anne's Church, Soho, shared his condolences during an emotional service (Image: Roddy Ashworth)

"My heart goes out to the families and friends of those from Colchester and Felixstowe who lost loved ones in the Admiral Duncan on that terrible evening." 

David Copeland, 48, of Hampshire, a Neo-Nazi, had planted three bombs, of which one detonated. He was given six life sentences in June 2000 and failed to get his sentence cut in 2011.