The relatives of those who died in Dunblane have dedicated a memorial garden to the 16 children and one teacher who were killed two years ago.

The garden is within the Dunblane Cemetery, where 12 of the children and their teacher, Gwen Mayor, are buried.

Families of the children who died attended the private ceremony

The memorial garden features a fountain and a commemorative plaque, and it has been paid for by public donations from all over the world.

"This garden is a beautiful place in which we can all remember the loved ones we lost," said Mick North, whose daughter Sophie was among the slain children.

"The cheerfulness and brightness of a Primary One classroom is evoked by each one of the pebbles in the pools, you can almost hear the chatter of children in the sound of the fountain," he said at the dedication ceremony on Saturday.

A local man, 43-year-old Thomas Hamilton, broke into the primary school on March 13, 1996 and opened fire on a class in the gym. In addition to those killed, he injured 12 other children and two teachers before killing himself.

Since the public outrage following the massacre, Britain has banned handgun ownership.
�

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	�