PUPILS at Castlebrook High in Unsworth have created a permanent reminder of a valued friend.

Teenagers at the school have completed a mural in the memory of their schoolmate Charlotte Morris, who passed away in February at the age of 15. Charlotte had fallen victim to a rare illness caused by Epstein Barr virus.

Former classmates showed how they felt by depicting Charlotte's favourite items and interests on one picture, with a family photograph of her at the centre.

Pupils worked with acrylic paint during their lunch hours and after school to complete the mural.

Art teacher Wendy Boardman said: "The pupils approached me to ask if they could do something for Charlotte, so we found the materials and they came up with all of the ideas.

"What we got was a way for the pupils to show how devoted they were to Charlotte and how much they miss her."

Present for the unveiling was Charlotte's mum, Alison, of Mellor Drive, Bury, who said: "I was delighted and overwhelmed.

"I think it has been a good way for the children to have expressed their grief and it has been very therapeutic for them. The whole thing was very moving and it just shows that sometimes children are better than adults at showing what they feel."