PUPILS and staff joined together this week to honour a headteacher whose boundless enthusiasm will be remembered for a long time to come.

And the opening of the Hilary Gemmell Memorial Garden at Meadowhead Infant School has been a personal triumph for organisers who have battled back after vandals destroyed the garden four months ago.

The garden was due to be opened at the beginning of June until vandals broke into the Blackburn school and trashed plants, pots and garden ornaments. But headteacher Glen Purchase believes the incident has pulled the community closer together.

Mrs Purchase said: "When people heard what happened they rallied around and helped restore the garden. We were overwhelmed with the response we received from well-wishers. In a way the vandalism pulled us closer together."

Mrs Gemmell died two-and-a-half years ago and Mrs Purchase said: "Hilary was a very lively and enthusiastic headteacher who will always be remembered. Her influence on the school will have an effect for a very long time to come."

Former Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Terry Gennoe officially opened the memorial garden on Monday.

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