CHILDREN have helped to build a memorial garden in tribute to their friend who was killed when he was just seven.

Youngsters and staff at Queensbridge Primary School have worked hard to create a peaceful oasis where they can sit and remember Ryan Mason.

His body was found in February in a bin bag on Great Lever and Farnworth Golf Course.

A post mortem examination revealed that he had died from multiple injuries.

Ryan's father, Greg Pickup, had wanted to build a lasting reminder of his son at the school and the staff were also keen to create something permanent in his memory.

Ryan's friends, who are now in Year Four, had particularly wanted to help build the garden and plant flowers in his memory.

The headmistress, Sheila Holland, will invite members of Ryan's family to attend a small ceremony after half-term when they will unveil a plaque in tribute to the youngster's life.

The garden includes benches, flowers and potted plants and staff have also ordered trellis to complete the area.

Pupils in Year 11 at Sharples Secondary School also helped by building a bench for their younger colleagues. Ryan was a pupil at Queen Street Primary School before it joined with Bridgewater Nursery to become Queensbridge last month.

The amalgamated school will be moving to a new purpose-built site in 2004 and Ryan's garden will be transferred at the same time.

Miss Holland said: "We ordered things for the garden that would be suitable for us to take with us when we move to the new site.

"The children absolutely love the area because it is so peaceful.

"Everyone helped out, but Ryan's contemporaries were keen to do a lot of the work.

"I'm really pleased with the way it looks, but of course we all still feel very sad about Ryan's death and still think about him all the time."

Ronald Mariner, aged 22, of Bowland Drive Johnson Fold, is due to face trial charged with the murder of Ryan. He is due to appear at Manchester Crown Court on October 21.