THE memory of tragic Dunblane teacher Gwen Mayor will live on in a beautiful new species of rose.

Gwen, who moved from Great Harwood to Scotland 25 years ago with husband Rod, last year sacrificed her life to save her primary school class of infants from crazed gunman Thomas Hamilton.

But her vibrant outlook on life is set to stay close to people's hearts forever now a beautiful Hybrid Tea rose has been named in her honour.

The 16 pupils who died alongside her will also be remembered in new rose called Innocence.

Gwen's in-laws, Frances and Thomas Mayor, of Green Street, Great Harwood, said: "Time has passed but Gwen is still very greatly missed. She will always have a very special place in our hearts.

"This tribute, to Gwen and the pupils who died, will not only raise money for good causes through the sale of the flowers, it will keep their memories alive."

Gwen's rose - which is peach and apricot - is said to signify everything about the fun-loving mum-of-two.

Frances added: "The words which accompany the rose say everything - Gwen's life was rich and she enriched the lives of all who knew her. Her final act was a positive, caring one for the young children who were placed in her charge."

Each Gwen Mayor rose sold will raise £1.50 for the Gwen Mayor Trust, set up to fund artistic, cultural, musical and sporting projects in Scottish primary schools.

The same amount, from the sale of an Innocence rose, will go towards The Children's Hospice Association Scotland, chosen by the Dunblane victims' families.

The salmon-coloured rose is said to "capture perfectly the colour, joy, exuberance, vulnerability and innocence that all children bring into our lives."

Anyone who would like to buy a Gwen Mayor or Innocence rose should telephone 01224 313261 for an order form, or write to James Cocker and Sons, Whitemyres, Lang Stracht, Aberdeen, AB15 6XH.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.