A SPECIAL friendship bench built in memory of Alexys Brown has been unveiled.

Family, friends, and teachers of Lexi gathered for the official unveiling of the bench at Beechcroft St Paul's Primary School in Weymouth.

The bench has been built around a tree in the school's playground, remembering five-year-old Lexi, who died in a tragic incident at her Emmadale Close home in August.

As part of the unveiling, Lexi's classmates each placed a personalised pebble underneath the bench whilst Father Richard Harper, from St Paul's Church, gave a blessing.

Lexi's brother Jack, 12, and sister Sienna, nine, also left personalised pebbles. They were joined at the unveiling by their mum Lorraine and dad Matt.

Discussing the bench, Lorraine said: "I think it is a really lovely idea. I love the way her friends can come and sit and think about her."

Both Jack and Sienna helped unveil a plaque adorned to the bench and pull a ribbon marking its opening.

In his blessing, Father Harper said: "Bless this bench which we will use to sit, build our friendships, talk to each other and grow together as we remember Lexi and as we say thank you for her."

The decision to have a friendship bench was made by the school.

Its former headteacher, Sarah Sprague, said: "We wanted to have or create something that would be very much a part of the continuation of Lexi.

"We wanted to have a special area for all the children so they could have an area to reflect.

"She was such a friendly little girl and she was always with somebody. We thought something around the friendship theme would be appropriate."

Mrs Sprague said the final design was even better than she imagined, describing the bench as beautiful.

She said: "The traditional friendship bench is where you would have two people go to sit.

"With this (bench) you could get 30 children around it."

Jean-Paul Draper, who took over as headteacher in January, said the bench would be a place for pupils to sit down and have a quiet think.

Local businesses lent their support for the construction of the bench.

Jewson donated timber whilst Lodges of Lapland built the bench. Goulds Garden Centre, meanwhile, has provided a dreamcatcher and lights, allowing the area to be lit up at night.

The bench plaque has been provided by Wessex Locksmiths.

Following Lexi's death, a fundraising campaign was started to allow the family to grieve without financial worry. It raised more than £34,000.

Donations given at Lexi's funeral were put towards a trip for Lexi's class to see Cinderella on Ice last month. On behalf of the family, Lorraine said she wished to express their gratitude to everyone who donated.