'A garden for everyone' unveiled in memory of Manchester attack victim

A garden created in memory of Nell Jones has been unveiled Credit: Family picture

A garden created in memory of a schoolgirl killed in the Manchester Arena attack is a "fitting tribute" to a "beautiful person", her brother has said.

The Garden of Memories was built at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School in Cheshire as a lasting tribute to pupil Nell Jones, 14, who was one of 22 people who died in the attack on May 22 last year.

The memorial was officially opened on Wednesday by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

He placed a stone decorated with a bee, the symbol of Manchester, in a river of pebbles designed to allow people to leave their memories of Nell in the garden.

Andy Burnham placed a stone decorated with a bee in a river of pebbles in memory of Nell Jones Credit: ITV Granada

Speaking at the opening, her brother Sam, 30, said:

The school choir, which Nell had been a member of, sang You Raise Me Up and Hallelujah at the garden opening, which was attended by students, Nell's family and those who had helped to create the garden.

Freya Lewis, 15, who was injured in the attack after the Ariana Grande concert, was among those of Nell's friends who had helped with the design.

Mr Burnham said:

He added:

The school's executive headteacher Mr Oliver thanked the "thousands" of people who had donated money, time and resources to help create the garden.

He said the garden was "inspired by the loving memory of Nell Jones, but a garden for everyone".