A memorial garden has been created to remember a “beautiful” daughter who tragically died a year ago.

The garden on Radar Hill in South Woodham Ferrers was created in memory of William De Ferrers pupil Holly Clacy, 15.

Holly’s body was discovered on the hill by a search party of police and residents in November last year after she went missing.

Volunteers gathered in name of The Holly Clacy Foundation, a year on from the tragedy to create a memorial garden area and place a bench in Holly’s name.

Following the tribute, David Clacy, Holly’s father, said: “I would like to thank everyone of you who came over the weekend to help create the garden area on Radar Hill.

“Your efforts in clearing the weeds and carrying those very heavy benches was very much appreciated.

“There are so many people to thank over the past year who have also helped to bring the oasis of calm into being.”

The foundation was set up in January 2018 by Holly’s family and the community.

It’s aim is to raise awareness of suicide and raising funds to support children and young people suffering the stresses of daily life.

The land for the memorial was donated by Roger Bigwood from Supported Business and Mr Clacy thanked Essex County Council and the Stratherns family for allowing the area to be created.

One of the benches installed on top of the highest point in South Woodham Ferrers was funded by Minerva Security Services in Battlesbridge.

The other was fundraised by the foundation over the past year.

Mr Clacy has treated the garden as the “end of a cycle” for him and his wife, Lindsay.

He added: “It’s one year since we would have had the opportunity to hug our beautiful girl, to have heard her speak and to hear her say that she loved us.

“It was the last day that I would ever have had the opportunity to reassure her that she was loved, not just by me or her mum and the rest of her family, but by all of those people whose lives she touched and that she continues to touch today.”

Holly was discovered on Radar Hill after going missing on November 20.

After a day with no word from his daughter, Mr Clacy lead a search party to find Holly.

Paramedics and police worked for 40 minutes to resuscitate Holly, but sadly she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Clacy paid an emotional tribute to his daughter, who he said always remain with him and everyone she touched during her life.

He said: “Memories and remembrances are far too precious to lose and the joy of them will always outweigh the suffering.

“I truly believe that Holly is with us today and she smiles with us as she moves around us.

“May she now be in that garden in a place she can see has been created by the respect and love of those that knew her, and also by those that wanted to know her, but never did.”

To support the Holly Clacy Foundation and find out more by visiting facebook.com/thehollyclacyfoundation.