A GARDEN planted in memory of tragic teenager Jade Clark will be opened on Sunday – on what would have been her 17th birthday.

The 16-year-old Ringwood Young Firefighter died in a road traffic accident while riding her moped on the A31 near Ringwood in February.

Her colleagues from the Young Firefighters’ Association at Ringwood have worked with instructors to create a memorial garden at the front of Ringwood fire station.

It will be opened on Sunday, on what would have been Jade’s birthday. Her family will be present for the opening, which will be performed by Spencer McCarthy, the chairman of Churchill Retirement Living.

His firm put up a reward for information for the vehicle that collided with Jade’s moped and also contributed towards the garden.

Watch Manager Kevin Morrison, who runs the Young Firefighters Association at Ringwood, said: “The support of the community since Jade’s death has been staggering and we continue to be touched by people’s generosity.

“The front of the station has been covered in tributes to Jade and we felt it was appropriate to turn it into a more lasting memorial.

“Sunday would have been the day she turned 17 and we want to use it to remember the terrific young lady she was.

“Our Young Firefighters have worked extremely hard to create the garden and we couldn’t have done it without the support of local businesses such as Churchill and Stewarts.”