A LASTING memorial has been built to commemorate the life of a teenager who died in an accident at a Burnley skate park.

A special seat, flowers and plaque have been donated to the Pennine House sensory garden, Burnley General Hospital, to mark the first anniversary of the death of James Hadfield.

The 15-year-old, of Carlton Road, died on March 13 last year at the hospital after an accident at Piccadilly Park.

The bench has been donated by King's Mill Antiques Centre, Briercliffe. A plaque was also donated and primulas were planted at the garden which will bloom each year.

The BMX-mad youngster spent hours at the park. He suffered a crushed chest and skull in the accident after refusing to wear a crash helmet -- which could have saved his life --because it was not fashionable.

Burnley Council closed all its skate parks following the accident while it carried out improvements, including the installation of fencing around the park and improved signs.

But, following an inquest into the death of James, his father Pete Hadfield said he still blamed Burnley Council for his son's death and vowed to keep campaigning to make wearing cycle helmets compulsory for under-16s.

Mr Hadfield said: "To have a bench at the hospital is a fantastic tribute to my son. It's hard to put into words.

"My family will spend time in the garden thinking about James. The garden is a lovely place where all families can visit to think about loved ones."