STUDENTS at Wellington School unveiled a memorial bench last week for a much-loved former member of staff.

Terry Keating, who died from a brain tumour last Christmas while in his seventies, worked at the school as a midday assistant for 12 years.

Big-hearted pupils raised £450 for the permanent reminder through activities such as cake sales and copper collections and were joined by Terry's widow at the grand unveiling.

Annie Percival, assistant headteacher, said: "Terry was a very jolly member of staff and was always laughing and cracking jokes with the children.

"He worked at the school for 12 years and in that time made a lasting impression on the pupils he met.

"Working in the dining hall during lunch-time can be very stressful, but Terry always managed to keep smiling and cracking jokes.

"The pupils were so fond of him that they asked if they could have a memorial within the school."

She added: "They decided to spend the money on a bench, with a plaque on it bearing Terry's name, which will be permanently situated just outside the school's dining hall - forever known as Terry's bench'."