A TRANQUIL garden in the school grounds is just one of the permanent memorials being planned in memory of the three St James's School pupils who were killed in the coach crash in the French Alps.

Nicola Moore, aged 16, Keith Ridding, 14, and Robert Boardman, also 14, were killed when the coach they and fellow pupils were travelling in plunged 60 feet down a ravine during a school trip.

Since the tragedy on July 7, cards, letters and donations have poured into St James's CE School in Lucas Road, Farnworth.

To date donations total more than £4,000.

The garden, which is to be laid out near to the new teaching block, will be planted with silver birch trees.

"It will be somewhere where pupils and staff can go. It will be peaceful and people will be allowed to be at one with their thoughts," said headteacher, David Bowes, whose dignity and strength in the aftermath of the deaths was an inspiration to many people.

He went on: "I'm very keen to have a stained glass window installed in the school. It would incorporate the three red roses which came to symbolise the youngsters, and their names would be featured below."

Mr Bowes said that a sum of money from the Memorial Fund would be set aside and allowed to accrue interest.

"The idea is that every November at our prize giving day this interest would be given to a charity. It is something positive that could be done in their names."

He added: "We are still in contact with the families of the youngsters who were killed. We want to maintain that contact with the families in the future. We want them to feel they are part of the school family and continue to offer them every support"

The large pine cross that was the centrepoint of a service held at the school shortly after the tragedy has now been placed over the main entrance doors as a permanent memorial to the youngsters.

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