A MEMORIAL garden has been planted in memory of a much loved teacher from a Devizes school who lost her fight against cancer.

Louise Boorman who went above and beyond to support pupils at Downlands School was devoted to her work and children at the school.

On Thursday her adult son and daughter Jon and Sarah were at the school, which caters for boys with special needs, on Thursday to help open the garden.

Assistant head Pam Hull said: "Louise came to Downland School to teach food tech and textiles, however she also taught PSHE and maths.

"Louise was always a breath of fresh air nothing was too much trouble and she was always caring and sympathetic in her approach to both staff and students at Downland School.

"Louise also worked in the residential units in the evening helping students prepare food which they would then cook for their tea.

"She was also responsible for starting whole school high tea activities which involved the whole school coming together for sandwiches, cakes and tea at the end of the school term.

"Louise helped students make cakes for their parents and carers’ birthdays as well as producing handmade gifts for special occasions."

Mrs Hull said that even when Mrs Boorman was undergoing cancer treatment she did not forget about her pupils.

She said: "Even while having her first cancer treatment she regularly sent work in and kept in touch with school.

"During her second bout of cancer she was very ill, but never a day went by when she didn’t ask about her ‘Boys’.

"Louise sadly passed away and was greatly missed at school particularly by her tutor group and the staff. Louise was a lovely friend, mother, daughter, sister and teacher who would have loved the memorial garden."

Antony Blackmore from the school's senior leadership team said the school had spent a lot of time transforming a spare patch of land into the memorial garden.

It was opened last Thursday and a story board of memories has been placed in the garden.