MONEY raised in memory of a tragic three-year-old boy who died in a house fire in Rawtenstall has benefited worthy causes.

Aaron Reynolds died after he was trapped his bedroom at his home at Lime Tree Grove last August.

At an inquest into his death, a verdict of accidental death was recorded. A leading fire officer said it seemed most likely Aaron started the blaze which tragically cost him his life.

His devastated mother Sally Reynolds and her partner Graham Gardiner are planning to install a bench and plant a tree in his memory, but so much money was donated in memory after his death other causes have benefited as well.

The couple, who toured India for several months to cope with their loss, are now back staying with relatives in Liverpool, while builders repair their home and they consider what to do with the property.

They said: "We have spoken to Rossendale Council about the tree and bench, they have agreed in principal and we know of a nice spot near Chatterton where we would like to to go -- though we need to confirm a definite location.

"The council has been very helpful and left us free to choose any tree we like. We're going to try for a winter-flowering tree so that it will be in bloom for Aaron's birthday."

Aaron loved his cat Suzy and used to pretend to be like a cat which is why he had the nickname Aaron Cat.

They said: "We made a donation of £150 to Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary who used it to help put a family of young stray kittens and their mother through some vaccinations -- they named the kittens Aaron, Hannah and Joseph.

"We also gave £150 to an English girl while we were in India. She is married to a Bengali refugee and has been living in a very desolate part of Central India for the last four years.

"Janey (the English girl) has managed to set up a monthly clinic and a small school for 65 children in her time there.

"Her husband is school bus driver/ supplies driver/ ambulance driver and anything else that needs doing.

"They have built a playground at the school with the money we donated."