Pupils at Christ Church Primary School, Bradford on Avon, now have a quiet space to remember loved ones in the Garden of Reflection that they helped design and build.

The garden was opened at the school’s annual May Fayre on Bank Holiday Monday by head teacher Neil Baker, while Rev Bernard Hughes recited prayers.

Mr Baker said: “We lost three young mothers in succession through illness and when we went around the school we learnt that many children had lost relatives.

“They didn’t want a memorial, they wanted a place to reflect and be peaceful.”

The pupils chose to have the garden in the middle of a circle of trees with a gap looking out to the church.

Rev Bernard Hughes said the ‘wonderful’ garden was created for the children, by the children.

The Garden of Reflection was designed by Alison Brown, a school grounds designer, and she wanted the pupils to be fully involved.

She said: “I am thrilled with it. It looks great and is special to the school. I love that it is wonky and looks handmade.”

Pupils filled sandbags, which were stacked to make the seat and then covered in chicken wire and cement. Once the seat was painted, every pupil planted a bulb around the area and put their painted hand print onto the seat, which will be repeated each year when new children come to the school.

Hundreds of children and parents attend the fair where there were raffles, face painting and plenty of games.

The Garden of Reflection was paid for from the proceeds of last year’s fair; this year’s proceeds will go to future school projects.