The natural father of Billie-Jo Jenkins is planning an emotional trip to the seaside town where she died next month to mark what would have been her 23rd birthday.

Bill Jenkins intends to visit Lower Park Road, Hastings, where the 13-year-old was murdered exactly nine years ago yesterday.

Mr Jenkins, who lives in east London, also wants to meet Billie-Jo's friends who are planning a permanent memorial to her during his visit.

He hopes the pilgrimage to Hastings on March 29 will help his rehabilitation over his daughter's death.

Yesterday he told The Argus: "It's going to be emotional for me because it's obviously the place where Billie-Jo died.

"I've been there once before and that was hard but I feel it is important to go there again because it would have been her 23rd birthday."

Billie-Jo, who attended Helenswood School in St Leonards, moved in with Sion Jenkins and his then wife Lois in Henry Road, East Ham, in 1992.

Yesterday Bill Jenkins said he marked the ninth anniversary of her death as he does every day, in silent poignant remembrance.

He said: "I mark her death every day. I think of Billie-Jo 24/7. Today is no different to any other for me as I'll always remember her."

Sion Jenkins, 48, walked free from the Old Bailey last week after a second jury failed to reach a decision on whether or not he murdered Billie-Jo.

His acquittal followed three trials, two appeals and nine years of campaigning through the legal system to exonerate himself.

Billie-Jo died after being struck at least ten times with an 18in metal tent peg as she painted patio doors at the family home in Lower Park Road, Hastings.

There have been calls from Billie-Jo's natural family for Mr Jenkins - former headteacher designate at all-boys William Parker School, Hastings - to undergo a lie test.

But the former teacher, now living in Lymington, Hants, has resisted such a move and is said to be in talks about making a documentary about his nine-year fight to clear his name.

After the latest retrial, it emerged Mr Jenkins was prone to violent outbursts and attacked his ex-wife Lois within weeks of getting married.

Bill Jenkins believes Billie-Jo has been cheated of justice and he said: "I've prepared myself through all the trials and legal procedures.

"But I still cannot see any justice has come out of this for Billie-Jo. I think it would have made a difference at the latest retrial if some of the evidence not heard was put to them."