Neville Lawrence and Jon Snow at the party on Friday

Neville Lawrence invited Channel 4 anchor Jon Snow and 200 others to a party in Barking to thank them for their support during the 18 years he spent working to bring his son’s killers to justice.

Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death in a racist attack in 1993.

Last month Gary Dobson and David Norris were convicted of his murder following a high profile trial.

The pair were two of five men arrested on suspicion of his killing and then released after an initial investigation 18 years ago.

Neville hosted the thank you event on Friday at the Arc Theatre, in Abbey Road, where he is a patron.

Guests included Jon Snow, BBC correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti, Met Police Commisioner Bernard Hogan-Howe and Barking and Dagenham borough commander, Gary Buttercase.

During the evening, Pact, a play by Arc about gangs, was performed.

Artistic director of the Arc Theatre, Carole Pluckrose, who was with Neville throughout the trial, said the party was a big success.

“It was amazing and such a fantastic opportunity for Lawrence to say thanks to everyone who has supported him and helped him achieve some kind of justice for Stephen,” she said.

Jon Snow tweeted after the event praising the play Pact.

This Thursday Neville will speak about his son and the recent trial and answer questions from the public at a talk at the Ripple Centre, in Ripple Road, Barking. Arc’s domestic violence awareness play, Girl E, will be performed afterwards.

Tickets, which include a buffet, cost from £15. To book or for more information call Nita Bocking at Arc on 020 8594 1095 or email nita@arctheatre.com.

Money raised will go to funding a school tour of Girl E.