CHANNEL 4 is to screen a major one-off drama inspired by the homophobic murder of former Archway School pupil Jody Dobrowski.

Clapham Junction is the work of acclaimed playwright Kevin Elyot and includes performances by former Eastenders actor Paul Nicholls and Samantha Bond, best-known as Miss Moneypenny in recent James Bond movies.

It is set to air in July as part of the channel's summer season marking the 40th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales.

Jody died after being brutally murdered on Clapham Common in October 2005.

The trial of the 24-year-old's killers concluded with a landmark decision as the homophobic motive was factored into the sentence for the first time.

While the murder acted as the catalyst for the fictional Clapham Junction, the film is not based on the life of Jody - who had been at the start of a promising career in the entertainment industry as a manager with the Jongleurs comedy club chain in London.

"Bigotry is still bubbling just below the surface and sometimes in the most surprising quarters," said Elyot, author of the ground-breaking Olivier-award winning 1994 play My Night With Reg - one of the first productions to engage audiences with the growth HIV and AIDS in the UK.

Clapham Junction sees five separate stories woven into the fabric of modern day London.

When a middle class dinner party is interrupted by the arrival of police to investigate a reported attack on Clapham Common, the characters are drawn together with devastating effect.

"While there seems to be a greater acceptance of gays in society - consent equality, civil partnerships, higher media visibility - homophobic violence has not disappeared," said Elyot.

Meanwhile, Jody's mother and step father, Sheri Dobrowski and Mike Haddock, travelled from their Whitminster home last Thursday to a wildflower planting ceremony on Clapham Common, held near to the spot where Jody was attacked.

The event was organised as part of the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO).

"It was the first time we have been back," said Mrs Dobrowski, who addressed a small, deliberately low-key gathering, organised by Lambeth and Wandsworth councils and the Metropolitan police.

"It was a lovely day and it felt positive. It is part of the healing process. Some members of the public were there and we all got down on our hands and knees to plant.

"We put in wildflowers and plants but we also took some bluebells from the garden so there is a bit of Gloucestershire in there too."

And back at the Lockkeepers bar in Stroud last Thursday, Jody's brother Jake read some moving words about his brother and the continued need to stamp out homophobia in society.

As part of IDAHO, dozens of people at the Lockkeepers went 'back in the closet' to highlight the fact that many gay people around the world are prosecuted and persecuted because of their sexuality.

*Jody's mother, Sheri Dobrowkski, and her husband Mike Haddock read the following words together to those at the wildflower planting on Clapham Common:

"It's difficult to stand here on Clapham Common.

Every day and every night those of us who loved Jody can only imagine what happened to him here.

And never really understand why.

But we know it's not about this place.

And we're so glad that something beautiful will happen here today.

Something full of life and hope.

As Jody was.

We would like to thank those who planned and organised this special event for IDAHO Day. And to those gathering in Jody's home town in Stroud.

We have all come here to plant new life together as we remember those who have suffered and died simply for being who they are, in the hope that they will not be forgotten and that their suffering will be acknowledged and universally condemned.

Jody did not die because of his sexuality. Jody died because of someone else's prejudice and hatred.

We hope that every sufferer and witness to homophobic abuse uses the law of this land and, without fear or shame, report these crimes to the police.

We hope that discrimination on grounds of sexuality be universally condemned.

We hope that every individual and organization that continues to promote homophobia understand the consequences of their belief systems and words and actions.

Every slight in the playground humiliates and diminishes.

Every discrimination in the workplace abuses and loses the brightest.

And homphobia kills."