A SPONSORED walk raised more than £1,000 to buy a headstone for a 13-year-old girl who died in a swimming pool last year.

Anne-Marie Readshaw, from Ferryhill, County Durham, died while swimming with friends at Spennymoor Leisure Centre last September.

It is believed that she suffered an epileptic fit while in the water.

Her aunt, Gillian Bowmer and friend Julie O'Neill decided to organise the sponsored walk to raise money for a headstone.

Those who took part included Anne-Marie's father Ian and sister Catherine, who has leukaemia and is in a wheelchair.

Pupils from Anne-Marie's school, St John's RC Comprehensive in Bishop Auckland also supported the event.

They had hoped to raise £500 to go towards the £900 headstone, but they were delighted to collect £1,035.

Mrs Bowmer said: "We have raised enough to buy the headstone and are delighted.

"We want to thank everyone who took part and who gave us money. So many people turned out, it was really nice."

"We especially want to thank the NatWest bank who were very helpful in setting up an account for all the donations."