A MEMORIAL garden has been created at the favourite play spot of a schoolgirl who drowned while paddling in a river.

Caroline Nicholson was ten when she died after getting into difficulties in the River Swale at Catterick Village, where she lived, nearly two years ago.

Villagers developed a garden in her memory and her mother, Phyllis, has now unveiled a commemorative plaque under a tree where Caroline used to play.

Mrs Nicholson, who can see the garden in Per Ardua Way from her home, said local children had helped to plant shrubs as part of the project.

"Caroline would have loved the garden," she said. "She used to play here, by the tree, and the memorial garden and plaque is a fitting tribute to her."

The project was helped by affordable housing provider Home, which owns 30 properties in Per Ardua Way.

Lynn Booth, of Home, said: "Residents were very keen to create something special and permanent in her memory. We have already created a garden area and the children have been marvellous watering the flowers and making sure its ready for the unveiling of the plaque."

Landscape gardeners and KMS contractors worked with residents on the project, which includes a hopscotch grid and two benches.

Caroline, a pupil at Michael Syddall School in the village, drowned during a family picnic by the river in July 2005.