A LASTING memorial will be unveiled to a seven-year-old girl "with a marvellous smile" in one of her favourite playgrounds.

Rose Jeffries died suddenly on November 5 last year from a rare stomach condition shortly after being taken ill.

Her parents, Steven and Bronwen, wanted to establish a playground near her home in the High Harrogate area in memory of Rose, a pupil at St Peter's School.

But when a suitable site could not be found they decided that money from a memorial fund should pay for a combined climbing frame and slide in Harrogate's Valley Gardens where Rose enjoyed playing with family and friends.

Her mother said she wanted to thank everyone who had contributed to the memorial fund with donations coming from family, friends and the wider community.

The play equipment will be unveiled at a ceremony to be attended by the Mayor of Harrogate, Councillor Margaret-Ann de Courcey-Bayley, on Saturday, September 4.

The vicar of St Peter's Church, Harrogate, Canon Tony Shepherd, said that Rose would be remembered for her marvellous smile, her sense of fun and a richness of life which she brought to everything.