A SCHOOL has erected a permanent memorial to a former pupil who died suddenly aged just eight.

Staples Road Junior School, in Staples Road, Loughton, held a special ceremony with parents and pupils when it unveiled a pergola and gingko tree in memory of Dillon Rattan who died soon after contracting flu, in September last year.

At the ceremony, Rev Tony Morling, of Loughton Methodist Church, delivered a short speech on appreciating what is important in life, before eight balloons, one for each year of Dillon's life, were released.

The event was attended by Dillon's younger sister Kiran, who is also a pupil at the school, and his mother Rimona.

She said: “It was a lovely ceremony. They made a lot of effort and it was a special day.”

Dillon was one of the first children to be born in the 21st century when he arrived on January 1, 2000, and he featured in the Epping Forest Guardian as a millennium baby.

Mrs Rattan said: “He was a healthy little boy. He'd just gone back to school and he was happy when he just got struck down by a cold. Then it turned into flu and two days later he passed away. It was a shock to everyone.

“The school have been brilliant. They gave Kiran time off and they've been very supportive. When it happened the school governors had a little meeting. They approached me and said they wanted a little memorial which I was happy with. It was a lovely idea.

“It's going to be there for life and it will be lovely to go back there. My daughter still goes to the school and she can sit there and reflect."

Junior school headteacher Melvyn Cardy said: “He was remembered as a cheerful, popular pupil with lots of friends and a ready smile.”