Staff and pupils at Castle View School on Canvey, dug deep to honour the memory of former deputy headteacher Mike Hargate.

A new raised flowerbed has been put on the corner of Meppel Avenue and Somnes Avenue in memory of the deputy head who died of cancer in December 1996.

The school worked closely with Castle Point Council to design the large brick flowerbed which will be maintained by members of the school's gardening club.

Mr Hargate's widow, Jan, joined the council's technical service director and chairman of highways, councillor Brian Weller, to unveil it.

Russell Sullivan, headteacher at the Meppel Avenue School, said the new flowerbed is the latest in a line of tributes to Mr Hargate.

He added: "We have already got a flowerbed and bench in the school grounds to commemorate his memory but we decided we wanted to pay a tribute within the community.

"Mike Hargate was quite an outstanding community person and well respected by pupils and staff."

A new path has also been put in leading to the school and the grass has been re-seeded.

Highways director Nigel Thomas said: "I am really pleased with the outcome.

"It is a very pleasant feature and we have had lots of positive comments from members of the public about the flowerbed."

Mrs Hargate was also delighted with the flowerbed which she saw for the first time as she arrived at the school. She said: "It looks most impressive. I know Mike would have been really proud as he felt strongly about the environment.

"It is a fitting tribute and it is lovely that pupils still think about him three years after his death."

Never forgotten - Jan Hargate and pupils Gemma Smith and Paul Wooler at the flowerbed memorial for her husband Mike

Picture: NICK ANSELL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.