A HEADTEACHER'S labour of love was completed yesterday, five weeks after his death.

David Fry, headteacher of Finchale Primary School in Durham for the past five years, died from a rare lung condition at the end of May.

The 44-year-old had just returned from an exchange visit to Dundalk, in the Republic of Ireland.

In the weeks leading to his death, he had thrown his energies into designing a sensory garden for the 200 pupils at the school.

Yesterday, his widow, Julie, opened the garden, which is dedicated to his memory, including a large centrepiece storyteller's chair ordered by Mr Fry before his death.

Much of the work was carried out by year five children from the school.

Head of year Pam Blacklock said: "He would have wanted it to be done and it is a way of the children remembering him.

"He used to come into the classroom all the time and the children would just chat to him; the little ones would run and sit on his knee.

"He was a fabulous person, a fabulous teacher, and the children and staff loved him."

The garden, which cost about £5,000, features sweet-smelling herbs and bright flowers, bird tables and wind chimes, mounds for the children to climb on and picnic tables.