THE memorial garden, remembering four brothers from Winsford who were tragically murdered, will be retained despite the demolition of the former Handley Hill School, it has been confirmed.

Next week will mark the 14th anniversary of the death of Joshua Young, seven, and his brothers Thomas, six, Callum, five, and three-year-old Daniel.

The town was shaken by the events of March 27, 2003, when the four boys were found dead with their father in his fume-filled car at Horseshoe Pass in Llangollen, a petrol lawnmower running in the back.

A memorial garden was built at the school the boys attended.

Following news that the school, which has now been out of use for eight years, will be demolished to make way for housing development, the uncertainty of what would happen with the memorial garden caused panic among the community.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has now confirmed that the memorial garden will stay where it is, no matter what development is forthcoming.

Alison Knight, director of place strategy, said: “There is no planning application at present, however whatever development takes place the Memorial Garden will be retained.”

Winsford council member, Cllr Brian Clarke, expanded on the statement, saying that the council has always been well aware of the need to respect the memorial.

Cllr Clarke, cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, said: “It’s what we stated all along. As soon as the school became surplus to requirements, it had to go to housing because of the housing need in Winsford and because it’s a brownfield site, but we said all along that we had to be very sensitive about the memorial garden.

“It’s a tragic thing that happened and it was put there to remember those boys and we really have to respect that.

“I’m over the moon that it’s now clear to everyone that we are saving it, no matter what happens to the land there, because I think that is what has been keeping it back all along.”

Planning approval was granted for the demolition earlier this month and no plans for development have been submitted as yet.