DREAMS of a small rose bush in memory of an eight-year-old girl who died suddenly have blossomed into the prospect of a wonderful memorial.Parents of Stevie Mayes, who lived in Walton, had hoped to place a yellow rose bush and plaque in memory of their treasured daughter but thanks to her school a whole memorial garden is set to flower.

DREAMS of a small rose bush in memory of an eight-year-old girl who died suddenly have blossomed into the prospect of a wonderful memorial.

Parents of Stevie Mayes, who lived in Walton, had hoped to place a yellow rose bush and plaque in memory of their treasured daughter but thanks to her school a whole memorial garden is set to flower.

Donna Mayes, mum of Stevie who died in her home last June, said she was overwhelmed by the £1,300 project Causton Junior school, Felixstowe have organised.

"To dedicate the whole front of it to her is amazing. This is going to be her garden and her memorial.

"The main thing that got to me was that when the children come in to school this is the first thing they will see - so they can see her and remember her, so can their parents, added Mrs Mayes, of Graham Road, Walton.

The Evening Star teamed up with the school last year to launch the memorial fund and so far £443 has been raised. The fund was to close as enough money had been raised for the initial project but now there is a £857 shortfall with new project.

Paul Rooney, the head teacher of Maidstone Road school, said that they had applied for a £250 education trust grant from the Environment Agency, and they have increased the number of fund raising events.

They have also written to BBC's Ground Force to see if they would be willing to help. But the team of gardeners, regularly seen converting bare land in to landscaped retreats on their TV programme, were busy with other requests.

When the project is finished the garden will be bordered by copper beech hedging and there will be a bench with Stevie's name on it inside. A liquidamber tree, which has burgundy leaves, will also stand proudly inside in memory of the bubbly young girl, who was full of life and adored by her parents.

Flower pots packed with shrubs and flowers will decorate a patioed area nearby and bulbs have already been planted by Stevie's school friends and in the spring pupils will be able to see their work flourish.

To send money to The Evening Star's Stevie Mayes memorial fund, send your donations directly to Stevie Mayes Memorial Fund, Causton Junior School, Maidstone Road, Felixstowe. IP11 9ED. Cheques should be made payable to Causton Junior School.