PUPILS have turned a derelict corner of their school into a colourful memorial garden in memory of teenagers who died.

The remembrance garden was built at Easington Community School, County Durham, in memory of three of the school's pupils, Mark Ditchburn, Jon Straughan and Andrew O'Brien.

The school's science club, led by science teacher Jackie Morris, carried out work on the garden in their spare time.

Mrs Morris said: "There was just a derelict pond there before, and we decided as a school and community to do something about it.

"Unfortunately, while we were working on it, a boy in my class, Jon Straughan, died of leukaemia, so rather than make it into just a garden, we decided to make it into a remembrance garden.

"We found out that there were other boys who died whilst at school in the past, so it was made into a remembrance garden for all three of them.

"I do not want to take any credit for it. It was the science club who started the ball rolling, and the whole school raised money."

Jon, 14, died of leukaemia and his mother, Judith Straughan, attended the unveiling.

She said: "It is a lovely idea. When you see the pictures from before and see how much work has gone in, it's really nice. It's a really nice gesture."

Andrew O'Brien died several years ago of a brain tumour and Mark Ditchburn died following a fall from a viaduct five years ago.

A stone cube in the centre of the garden is inscribed with the boys' names.