A MEMORIAL garden and bench for a man from Oswestry who died last year, will take pride of place in the grounds of St Martin's School.

Created in memory of Tom Mills, who was a pupil at the site’s former Rhyn Park School, it is hoped the garden and bench will serve two purposes – creating a place that remembers pupils at the school who have died, and providing somewhere for teachers and pupils to sit and talk openly about their feelings.

Tom's mum, Sher Mills, has thanked everybody involved with creating the area and hopes it will provide solace to the families 'left behind'.

"The memorial garden is dedicated to all the pupils who sadly left this planet far too soon," said Sher, who has been working with young suicide prevention charity, PAPYRUS.

"More than 200 schoolchildren are lost to suicide each year and each time I hear of another life lost to suicide I take it personally and it breaks my heart.

"The feeling of sadness can strike any of us at any time.

"So with the help of PAPYRUS, I hope to raise awareness of the terrible epidemic sweeping our society.

"We seem to have lost touch with the simple things that make us happy such as spending time outdoors with our friends or loved ones.

"I hope it will help the ones left behind to feel a connection with their loved ones, allowing them to remember the carefree times they spent at the school.

"We would like to thank Stans Superstore in St Martins for kindly supplying all the plants and accessories," she added.

"We cannot thank Andrew Morris from Stans enough for his expert advice and wonderful help with the planting of the garden.

"And thank you so much to the school, especially Zoe Hamm Jones for her help in allowing us to place Tom's bench in such a deserving place that will forever hold a place in our hearts.

"Only a small section of the garden has been developed with the kind donations from Stans and help from Andrew, so I am looking for friends or families of past pupils, and local businesses who can help with plants and trees or benches."

If you think you can help, contact Sher ymechain@hotmail.com or 07484701637.