Family, friends and former classmates of Richard Barber gathered at Ladderbanks Middle School last night to plant a living memorial to the tragic Baildon teenager.

The weeping cherry tree has been bedded in near the main entrance to Ladderbanks as a permanent memorial to the 13-year-old pupil, of Langley Lane, who drowned during a school trip to an outdoor activities centre in the Yorkshire Dales almost two years ago. Among those at yesterday's planting ceremony were Richard's parents, Chris, 44, and Pam, 43, younger brother Michael, 12, and Ladderbanks headteacher Chris Thirkill.

Meanwhile former classmates of the Scout who loved the outdoor life were invited to plant spring bulbs by the base of the flowering pink-blossomed tree and a ceramic plaque has been fixed above the school's main entrance.

Reading "In memory of Richard Barber, a pupil at Ladderbanks Middle School'', the plaque has been made by the father of one of the teenager's friends and features a carved wooden surround made by Salt Grammar School teachers Ray Starling and Dougie Rooks.

Mr Barber said: "We've always said that something growing like a tree would be a lovely gesture because it's now living where Richard isn't any longer.

"We appreciate everything the school has done. They've always made us feel like part of an extended family and that they genuinely miss Richard and want to mark his presence and passing.

"I think Richard would be quite chuffed.''

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