AN alpine garden has been created in the grounds of St James's School, Farnworth, as a memorial to the three pupils killed in the French coach crash.

Families and friends decided the garden would be the most fitting memorial to the three teenagers who died during a school trip in the French Alps.

Money which poured into the school in the aftermath of the tragedy was used to fund the garden, set in an enclosed area surrounded by teaching blocks. Over the Easter holidays, family and friends planted three varieties of mountain ash donated by the The International Tree Society and gardeners put in a number of shrubs and large rocks.

The society made the donation after survivor Laura England told how she wanted to plant a tree to remember her friends.

Small memorial stones were also erected to the memory of Nicola Moore, 15, Robert Boardman and Keith Ridding, both 14, with brief messages from their families.

Nicola's family's message is "Au revoir", Robert's is that he will be "Forever Loved" and Keith's is "Forever Missed".

Deputy head Annette Patterson said: "There was a general feeling that a memorial garden was the most appropriate thing.

"It has enhanced part of the grounds and provided somewhere pleasant where pupils can sit and reflect."

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