PEOPLE who have touched the lives of staff and students at a rural school will be remembered through a special garden named after a popular sixth-former who inspired the project.

In a poignant service at Wolsingham School and Community College on Monday, Suzie's Garden was dedicated to those people 'loved and lost' by the school, especially former pupil Suzie Preen and three men who helped to make the planting possible.

Suzie, 18, of High Grange, was on the brink of a bright future when she was killed in a car crash three years ago last week shortly after completing her A-levels.

The garden in front of the sixth-form block was being planned when, exactly 12 months ago, 57-year-old John Noddings, of Ireshopeburn, died from a heart attack while raising money to pay for it in a charity match at Tow Law.

Soon afterwards another player in the same match, inspirational teacher Alan Turnbull, who lived near Frosterley, collapsed and died days after taking early retirement from the school.

And in another tragic coincidence, last October support assistant Kenny Walton, a driving force behind the garden, also died suddenly at his home in West Auckland.

Wolsingham rector, the Rev Malcolm Goodall, the school's deputy chairman of governors, led a short tribute service in the garden, which is built around a wooden centrepiece bearing Suzie's name.

Her mother Jean, other relatives and former classmates shared their grief with family members of Mr Noddings, Mr Turnbull and Mr Walton.

Headteacher Mitch O'Reilly said: "The whole school was affected by Suzie's death.

"We were planning the garden but we decided that, instead of it being a memorial to Suzie, it would be a memorial to all those close to the school who died."

Suzie's mother Jean said: "We want everybody to know how much we appreciate the garden. It means a lot to her family.

"The plants they have chosen are perfect. They are bright and vibrant - just like her."