NOTHING can compensate for the loss of a child. The agony of bereavement is all the more acute when a youngster meets with premature death, for those who are left behind are stricken with a particularly cruel form of grief - one which is compounded by the knowledge that fate has denied the victim the chance to fulfil their lifetime's potential.

The appalling incident of Lelaina Hall, who drowned nearly four years ago after becoming stuck in mud near Weston-super-Mare, touched the heartstrings of Worcester News readers. Many of you donated cash to help buy a hovercraft to try to ensure that such a tragedy would, hopefully, never happen again.

The appeal culminated in the provision of a craft specifically adapted to deal with incidents on the notorious sands and mudflats of the Bristol Channel. It was, of course, named after Lelaina.

Today, we are happy to report that not only has the hovercraft saved the life of an Evesham man trapped on this treacherous tideline, but that it has also helped to rescue more than 80 people who found themselves in trouble along the Somerset coast.

This is a remarkable achievement. Yes, we know that nothing can return that much-loved child back to the arms of her parents. But if good can be said to come out of tragedy, then perhaps we can dare to venture that Lelaina Hall is a case in point.

We therefore respectfully suggest that the lives saved since that awful day prove this little girl did not entirely die in vain.