The mother of a teenager who died in a shed fire in Colwyn Bay has set up a trust fund to build a centre for young people in his memory.

Daniel Cleverley, 15, and 13-year-old Kirsty Burvill died after a council-owned storage shed in Eirias Park was set alight in October 2001, trapping them inside.

I felt compelled to do something to keep Daniel's memory alive Hazel Cleverley

Daniel's mother, Hazel Cleverley, founded the charity as a way of coping with her bereavement.

The Dan's Den Project will pay for a clubhouse to be built for youngsters on the site of a skatepark planned for Eirias Park.

"I felt compelled to do something to keep Daniel's memory alive.

"Rather than planting a tree or something, I wanted to do something that is useful and relevant," she said.

The centre will give young people a place to meet, hang out and play music, says Mrs Cleverley.

Daniel's death was recorded as accidental

It will have a coffee bar, homework clubs, discos and information on health issues.

Daniel's friends have been asked about their ideas for the project and will be involved with the design of the building.

"They were obviously affected quite a lot by what happened and I wanted them to be involved," said Mrs Cleverley.

"But although it is comforting to be around his friends, it can be a double-edged sword to see them grow up and do things that Daniel would be doing now."

An 11-year-old boy, who admitted starting the blaze in which Daniel and Kirsty died, was placed on a three year supervision order after telling police he did not know the teenagers were in the shed at the time.

Lasting memorial

So far �15,000 has been raised by the local community towards the memorial project for Daniel.

The trust, which has been given charity status, intends to apply for grants to raise the �400,000 thought to be needed.

Conwy council has agreed to lease the land to the trust for a nominal rent.

A Sportlot grant has been secured for the development which will include the Dan's Den clubhouse.

A Sports Council for Wales spokesperson said: "It will act as a lasting memorial to Daniel Cleverley who died in a fire on the site of the skatepark."

Community effort

Three other skateparks are to be built across Conwy in Kinmel Bay, Penmaenmawr and Abergele.

Mrs Cleverley hopes the clubhouse, designed by Caernarfon architect Selwyn Jones, will be up and running within three years.

Llandrillo College and local businesses will be approached to help ensure the centre is open in time.

Mrs Cleverley said: "The local support has been great.

"This is a real community effort. That is how I see the project and I think it is the best way of coping with a bereavement like this," she said.