SEVEN bids have been received from companies wanting to build the memorial to murdered schoolgirl Vicky Hall.No decision has yet been made on which of the firms will be awarded the contract for the prestigious project, but the memorial fund's trustees are thrilled that so many wanted to be involved.

By Richard Cornwell

SEVEN bids have been received from companies wanting to build the memorial to murdered schoolgirl Vicky Hall.

No decision has yet been made on which of the firms will be awarded the contract for the prestigious project, but the memorial fund's trustees are thrilled that so many wanted to be involved.

Bob Race, chairman of Trimley Red Devils, which will manage the pavilion when it is completed, said: "We have now received tenders from each of the seven companies which were invited to bid for the contract.

"Since the deadline passed we have been analysing each individual tender and we have had to ask some of the companies for extra information.

"We want to ensure that the tenders are all on the same footing and that the prices all include exactly the same work.

"Once we have that information we will decide who to appoint and we hope that will happen in the next couple of weeks."

The trustees were looking for a keen and competitive price for the project but also quality, to provide a building that will last, be a fitting memorial to Vicky and something her parents, Graham and Lorinda Hall, of Faulkeners Way, and the whole community, can feel pride in.

Mr Race said club officials had also been liaising with Trimley St Mary Parish Council over the lease for the land at the village's Stennetts Memorial Playing Field, and the documents were now almost complete.

"The parish council is very supportive and the lease needs to be completed and signed before any work can start," he added.

The memorial will see a mini-soccer academy created in 17-year-old sixth former Vicky's home village to bear her name, following a major fundraising campaign spearheaded by The Evening Star.

The appeal has raised £310,000 – £100,000 from fundraising, and a £210,000 grant from the Football Foundation, of which £161,000 will go towards the cost of the sports pavilion, and £50,000 for a football development programme.

The clubhouse will include four team changing rooms, showers, officials' rooms, storage, kitchen together with a community area.

The football club has more than 150 players from under eights boys teams to the under 16 team. The new facilities are expected to attract many new players, including girls' teams.

Vicky went missing as she walked home from a nightclub in September 1999. A murder inquiry was launched after her body was found a week later in a ditch 24 miles away at Creeting St Peter.

WEBLINK: www.footballfoundation.org.uk