Lipine Sila, who killed Jane after he drove his car into a crowd of youngsters at a party in Christchurch, New Zealand, was sentenced in June to 17 years' jail on two charges of murder and eight of grievous bodily harm,

Jane (16), who was originally from Padiham Road, Ightenhill, moved with her family to New Zealand in 2002.

She died after being hit by the car Sila was driving while at a party in May 2007. Hannah Rossiter, also 16, was also killed in the incident.

Sila's barrister, Mr Pip Hall, said the appeal was on four or five grounds but he would not specify what they were.

Jane's family has reacted angrily to news of the appeal. Her father Harry said Sila had never shown remorse for the murders, adding the news was "very disappointing, very upsetting, and a shock. It's just a nightmare."

Mr Young said: "I'm thinking about witnesses as well. They're just trying to move on with their lives, they're young people. It just drags it up all over again."

During the trial Sila admitted driving the car, but his lawyer argued he was under attack at the time and was fleeing for his life, leading him to panic. He hit 30 young people in an incident that lasted seven seconds.

Jane, a former Wellfield Church School and Ivy Bank High School pupil, was a talented student and flute player, and was described by her parents as a "bright, popular and vivacious girl." Her grandmother, Mrs Pat Young, still lives in Burnley, and in May helped to plant a tree in Jane's memory at Wellfield School.

A date for Sila's Court of Appeal hearing in New Zealand has not yet been determined.