A PLAQUE in memory of a young community champion has been unveiled in Seaham.

David Pattison, who died in April aged 19, worked tirelessly for disabled people and for the refurbishment of the Westgrove shopping area in Westlea.

The plaque coincided with the start of work to spruce up Westgrove. It is in a new beer garden at Mitchell's pub, in Westlea, alongside a fountain also dedicated to the teenager, who suffered from a rare disabling condition.

Helen Sutherland, one of the pub's owners, said: "We wanted to preserve David's memory and celebrate his life so we talked to his parents and family and decided to create our new Forever Young flower garden in memory of him.''

The plaque was unveiled by the Mayor of Seaham, Councillor Bruce Burn.

Volunteers from the Out of Shadows group for young disabled people, Mitchell's staff and regulars, members of the Easington Youth Forum, Pride In Easington, Acumen Development Trust, Groundwork East Durham and Easington District Council helped clean up the square.