THE mother of tragic Worcester schoolgirl Lelaina Hall says she can start to carry on with the rest of her life now that her daughter's legacy has been put in place.

Caroline Hall had a special trip on Saturday in the life-saving hovercraft - named Spirit of Lelaina - which was funded after the death of her five-year-old.

Ms Hall was present at a special ceremony where the £35,000 hovercraft was launched at Burnham-on-Sea. It is being housed close to the beach where the youngster became trapped in mudflats on Sunday, June 23, last year.

A campaign by the Western Daily Press newspaper has raised more than £110,000, which is enough to buy the hovercraft, boathouse, equipment, toeing vehicle, staff training and running costs for a year.

"I feel a lot more positive because that part is now done," said Ms Hall, of Pitchcroft Lane.

"Of course, we'll never forget Lelaina, but I feel a lot better about going down there now.

"It's going to be a good legacy. Even in the years to come they will always call it the Spirit of Lelaina. She'll live on."

Lelaina drowned despite the frantic efforts of Ms Hall's boyfriend Lawrence Boyce, who tried to wade in after her.

She was later found in the water by a rescue helicopter, the only vehicle that could reach her.

The hovercraft, which was built in Sweden, enables members of the Burnham Area Rescue Boat to cross the mudflats to people trapped in the sands.

"The launch was quite hard and emotional for me," said Ms Hall.

"For the people down there it's quite a big thing for them. Lots of people turned up to see the launch. There was also a parade through the town."

There was a blessing ceremony for the hovercraft yesterday.