The family of a former public schoolboy murdered in Ashtead has been ordered by the council to remove flower tributes from outside the place where he was killed.

Family and friends of Matthew Demko, 25, who was bludgeoned to death with a metal barbell in the garage of friend Michael Jordan’s house on Links Road, in April last year, have been told by the Highways Department of Surrey County Council to refrain from putting any more flowers outside the property.

Mr Jordan, 27, who still lives at the Links Road house, was acquitted of Mr Demko's murder after a four-week trial in February, at the Old Bailey.

At the same time, Mr Demko’s parents, Nick and Lorraine, are offering a £10,000 reward for any information which could lead to the arrest and prosecution of Matthew’s killer.

Mr Demko said: “They’ve asked us to stop putting flowers there. "It’s hard enough as it is and I don’t think the flowers interfere with anything or anyone. They can’t fine us or prosecute us so we’re going to keep putting flowers there.

“The instruction came from Surrey County Council Highways Department. "The local guy who works doing maintenance in Ashtead received complaints from residents and the council decided to take them down.”

Lisa Jordan, Mr Jordan’s mother, said the flowers do not bother the family: “I don’t really notice much about it really. "I assumed that the council had decided they had to go or Matthew’s family had decided to stop putting flowers there.

“There had been people around here asking me when the flowers would go, but it was not my place to complain about them.

“I have no real feelings on the matter.”

A spokesman for the council said: “We are sympathetic to the family's tragic loss and we have contacted them about this issue. "But we have a responsibility for the safety of the road users and pedestrians who use that stretch of road. "We have asked that the floral tributes and pictures be removed as a consequence.”

The Demko family issued a statement about the reward: “The family of Matthew Demko is offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of anyone involved in the brutal murder of their son. "The incident took place at Link Road, Ashtead on Friday, April 4, 2008.

“The family are offering this £10,000 reward in the hope that it will encourage anyone holding information not previously known to the police, to now come forward and co-operate fully with the police.”

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.

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