A MEMORIAL bench has been erected at a tragic teenager’s favourite spot.

The seat was put up at Black Barge at Castletown Beach on Portland for the first anniversary of the crash which claimed the life of David Hallett.

David’s parents Roy Hallett and Debby Joliffe were joined by 50 friends and relatives to remember him at the bench.

Mrs Joliffe said: “We wanted to make create something positive out of the anniversary of David’s death so we went down with all the family and asked the vicar down to bless the bench.

“We put the bench there because if I ever lost him, that’s where he was.

“It’s a really nice place for his friends to remember him and that’s where his ashes were scattered.”

David’s parents decided they wanted to take attention away from the crossing on Weston Road where he died.

Mrs Joliffe added: “I did not want people going to the road because that’s not a very nice place to remember him.

“It’s a really peaceful spot and it’s the most fitting space for it.”

Mrs Joliffe, 39, of Mantle Close, Portland, is planning to have a barbecue at the bench on what would have been David’s 18th birthday in May.

She said her first Christmas without her son was made less difficult by having a buffet on Christmas Day.

She said: “We did not sit down to dinner but had a buffet because we could not face the table being laid without David. It was tougher for his brothers Darryl and Jack.

“We’ve made it through the first anniversary and survived it. So although it was tough, we can move on from now.”

Mr Hallett, 47, of Syward Close, Dorchester, was helped in making the bench by Baker Joinery trainee Martin Coward, 23, free of charge.

And members of the family all chipped in sanding it down.

Mr Hallett said: “The bench is superb. I love it.

“I can’t get over the amount of kids that give up their time to pay their respects.

“It’s a beautiful spot where anybody can go to chill out.”

* DAVID Hallett had just made a delivery for Codfathers Fish and Chips and was riding his moped when he collided with a pedestrian at a pelican crossing on Weston Road, Portland, on December 27, 2008.

He fell off his bike and was hit by an approaching BMW. He died in hospital from his injuries. Since David’s death his family has encouraged donations to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance in his memory and has raised £7,000 so far.