Two young men were sentenced to life in prison today for the "savage" murder of their friend, who choked to death on her own blood.

Anthony Wood, 21, and Matthew Maw, 19, killed Louise Evans, 18, in a park in Burnley, Lancashire in the early hours of July 21 last year.

All three were staying at a hostel for vulnerable and homeless people in the town, and had gone out drinking with several of their friends, Preston Crown Court heard.

Ms Evans, who suffered from Asperger's syndrome, and the two men became separated from the group in Towneley Park.

They led her to a secluded spot by a disused bandstand and "brutally" attacked her, the court heard.

Ms Evans' throat was slashed and she was repeatedly bludgeoned with a branch.

She was stabbed so hard that the knife broke in two and the blade lodged in her chest.

Wood instigated the attack, earlier telling his friends that he was going to kill her, and provided the knife. But Maw dealt the fatal blows, the court heard.

A post mortem revealed Ms Evans had 39 injuries to her head and neck and died from asphyxia due to blood inhalation.

Maw admitted the attack from the outset, but Wood denied his role and was convicted at a trial.

Ms Evans was living in the hostel because she wanted to be independent, her adopted parents said in a statement read to the court.

She had complex needs but was "special" and "loved dearly," Louise and Jeff Evans said.

"We are lost and empty and in disbelief that somebody could do this. There is a void in our lives that will never be filled."

Judge Anthony Russell QC said Maw had inflicted most of the physical violence, but Wood persuaded him to do his "dirty work" for him.

Wood must serve a minimum of 22 years and 183 days before he is eligible to apply for parole, while Maw must serve 18 years and 63 days, he said.

"The facts of this case are truly shocking in that they reflect that some people are prepared to go beyond all basic moral boundaries and act in a fashion referred to as feral violence - completely wild behaviour inflicted on a vulnerable victim for no reason at all.

"The sanctity of human life appears to mean nothing to you. This was a savage attack, carried out relentlessly.

"Louise must have suffered terribly because she did not die instantaneously.

"The only word that even begins to describe your conduct is 'wicked'," he said.

Det Insp Paul Broxson, from Lancashire Police, said his thoughts were with Ms Evans' family, who had lost their daughter in "such tragic circumstances."

He said: "I am very pleased with the sentence which reflects the horrific and sustained nature of this attack.

"As for Maw and Wood, this was a particularly brutal and cowardly assault, planned and carried out together, and they fully deserve their sentence."