A SPECIAL peace garden is to be created at a Worcester school in memory of staff, students, parents and governors who have died in recent times.

Volunteers are being sought to help create the memorial garden at Christopher Whitehead Language College.

It will be a place for people to visit to remember those who have been lost, including teenagers Stephanie Goodall and Joanne Bibby who died in a car crash on the A449 in December last year.

Neil Morris, headteacher at the school, said: "We have lost too many wonderful students, staff, governors and parents over the past few years, most recently of course Stephanie Goodall and Joanne Bibby.

"We would like to create a garden as a permanent memorial to them all. It would be a peaceful sanctuary in school, a quiet place where recently bereaved students in our community can spend time.

"Designs have been drawn for a small shaded garden with beds of white-flowered shrubs and scented climbing plants in each corner arbour with benches. There will be small, central, still pools to reflect the sky, three silver birches and pale gravel stones. It should be beautiful, low maintenance and peaceful. It is next to our learning support centre and wildlife garden and will replace an unused tar macadam square behind a wire fence."

Volunteers are now being sought to help create the garden in a day on Saturday, June 16, from 10am.

The school has already raised some money for fencing and a still pool with donations from local trusts and staff.

Mr Morris said: "We need willing hands to help plant the peace garden and if you could lend/bring any basic gardening equipment, it would really help. Our catering students will provide refreshments for the workers."

Any local companies who feel they could help with any of the materials - Cotswold gravel, wooden park benches, silver birch trees, hazel hurdles, white flowers or shrubs - or who would like to help by sponsoring can also contact the school.

Mr Morris said: "We would be grateful for any help or expertise to help us create this special place at the school. We hope it will be somewhere for quiet time and relaxation."