A special ceremony is to be held in memory of a pupil who died from an asthma attack while on holiday in Spain.

Pupils and staff at the Thorpe Bay School will take part in a tree-planting and dedication service for Joanne Dyer tomorrow (Wednesday).

The 12-year-old died in July while away with her family just before classes broke up for the school's summer holidays.

The simple ceremony, with Joanne's friends and family, will include the planting of a spring-flowering cherry tree as a living memorial.

A plaque is also set to be put up in front of the tree.

An assembly in memory of the year eight student took place at the school, in Southchurch Boulevard, shortly after she died.

Students gathered to lay flowers and light candles at a pond in the school grounds and also read poems they had written.

Deputy headteacher, the Rev Ann Clarke, conducted Joanne's funeral.

Elaine Tanner, spokeswoman for the school, said the tree would ensure no one ever forgot Joanne, who lived in Thorpe Bay. She added: "The cherry tree will be a lasting memory that will bloom every spring.

"Our students have another three years here and they will see the tree grow.

"We have planted trees in the past for previous students and teachers who have died."

Mrs Tanner said it was especially difficult for pupils to accept the news of Joanne's death so close to the beginning of the summer holidays, which was traditionally a carefree time for students after the pressures and demands of the academic year.

She said: "It was hard for them and the funeral was literally held in the last week of term. Having memorial services in these cases does help the students, particularly the close friends."

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