A CHOIR which lost one of its best-loved members has composed a song in his memory.

Jerry Gray, from Colne, died in April last year, aged 13 after a battle with leukaemia.

Now, his friends at Pendle Youth Choir have recorded ‘Sweet Peace for Jerry Gray’ and an accompanying video to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The song was written by Jerry’s choir colleagues Evie Rapson and Tom Gill, who are now studying music at York University.

The video combines footage of the choir performing at Christ Church, Skipton, photographs of Jerry and tributes from other singers.

David Wilkinson, the choir’s conductor, said it had taken the choir a long time to get over Jerry’s death.

He said: “For a time we couldn’t sing it. Our choir is made up of 11 to 18-year-olds and death does not come as a natural thing to them at that age.

“But we decided we would record it in the summer and sing it in our concerts up until Christmas to raise some money. His family cleared it and think it’s a good idea.”

Jerry, who attended Primet Primary School and Colne Primet High School (now Pendle Central Academy), started singing in the boys’ choir at his primary school.

Mr Wilkinson said: “He was a popular, typical, normal, nice lad. He developed a lot during his time at the choir and became quite philosophical about his illness as it developed.”

The choir has several shows booked in the run-up to Christmas, including dates at Colne Market on December 7 and Colne Muni on December 15. The video can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/ 74161932 and donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/pendleyouth choir.