A MEMORIAL garden has been unveiled to mark the first anniversary of the death of murdered schoolboy Joe Geeling.

Stone benches have been installed in a garden created by staff and pupils at St Gabriel's RC High School in Bury, where Joe was a Year 7 pupil Pupils also paid their respects to the youngster when they attended a special lunchtime assembly.

Joe was beaten and stabbed to death by teenager Michael Hamer on March 1, last year. His body was later found hidden in a shallow grave in Whitehead Park.

Joe had been lured to Hamer's home in Dalton Street, Bury, where the 15-year-old, who also attended St Gabriel's, attacked him.

Hamer stabbed him 16 times before dumping his body in a wheelie bin and taking him to the nearby park.

Hamer was jailed for a minimum of 12 years in October last year but the Court of Appeal recently increased his sentence to 15 years after an appeal from the Crown Prosecution Service that the original sentence was "too lenient".

The memorial garden was unveiled by Joe's parents Tom and Gwen Geeling at St Gabriel's school.

The Joe Geeling Garden of Remembrance, features a Japanese cherry blossom sapling planted between two hand sculptured granite blocks.

It is the second lasting tribute to Joe who suffered from cystic fibrosis since birth.

The first is a sculpture made of metal and depicts a young boy riding a bike - one of Joe's hobbies. Both have been made by parents of pupils at the school.

A blessing of the headstone which marks Joe's grave was also carried out this week.

Joe's father, Mr Geeling, of Devon Street, Bury, said he is proud of the garden of remembrance.

"It is another long standing tribute to Joe. The tree is going to grow and blossom for many years to come."

Mr Adam Loster, deputy head of St Gabriel's, added: "The metal sculpture is particularly for the children to remember Joe.

"This new garden of remembrance is for everyone to enjoy. Both memorials will ensure that Joe is never forgotten. He was a remarkable young man."

Headteacher Eddie Robinson added: "Joe was a wonderful boy and we shall always remember him. A memorial at the school seemed fitting as many of his fellow pupils will now be able to reflect and remember him whenever they choose."

More than £9,000 has been raised from a 5k road race organised by the Rochdale Harriers in January, in memory of Joe.

The cash was donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Booth Hall Children's Hospital.