FAMILY and friends of a man shot dead by armed police held a vigil on the first anniversary of his death.

Anthony Grainger, aged 36, died from a single shot fired by police officer at a car park in Culcheth on March 3 last year.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death after police said armed officers swooped in a pre-planned operation.

Supporters and friends of Mr Grainger, led by girlfriend Gail Grainger, gathered in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, for the vigil yesterday.

It has been organised by the Justice 4 Grainger campaign.

Speeches were made and leaflets were handed out at the emotional gathering to remember Mr Grainger.

Justice 4 Grainger members say that they have joined with other campaigns supporting families in similar circumstances.

They asked more people to support their campaign.

Three men who were accused of plotting a robbery with Mr Grainger, who was living in Deane, were cleared of all charges after a trial in Manchester last September.

The Justice 4 Grainger campaign is calling for the officer who fired the fatal shot to face criminal charges.

The IPCC investigation is continuing and the results are expected to be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service later this year.