A school garden devoted to two terminally ill York nursery pupils opened as one of the little girls it was created for was close to death.

Rebecca and Billy Condren stayed by the side of their dying daughter, four-year-old Chloe, when the Reflective Garden at St George's Roman Catholic Primary School was opened by the Bishop of Middlesbrough John Crowley yesterday evening.

But Rebecca told today how they went alone to the garden later last night and were amazed as a rainbow appeared in the sky above. "It was beautiful. It's such a lovely place. It was so peaceful."

She said her daughter was not expected to survive today after her cancer condition worsened in recent weeks. Chloe was in a semi-conscious state on the sofa at the family home off Leeman Road, a Barbie bag by her side full of her favourite drink and sweets.

The garden has been inspired by Chloe and also fellow pupil Katie Street, from Dunnington, who has a brain tumour.

At the beginning of a moving service, in which musicians and singers from All Saints School performed, representatives from both families planted two roses by its gate for Katie and Chloe.

Katie's parents Nigel and Ros, who moved from London and brought Katie to the nursery in October when she had already been diagnosed, were both present.

Ros said: "The garden is just wonderful and I thought the ceremony was very touching. The whole school has been so supportive to us and for Katie it has been a nurturing, caring, loving place where she has been accepted as just an ordinary child by all the other children."

Headmaster Norman Fowler said: "Tonight's ceremony was a very moving experience and it was shared by the whole school community."

Staff, parents, governors and pupils have all contributed to raising money while builders Richards Landscapes approached suppliers to donate materials.

Nursery teacher Imelda Murphy, who thought of the idea with nursery nurse Anne Halligan, said: "Katie and Chloe are both special children. We just hope the garden will help anybody with a need to remember someone they love to know that they can come and sit here and enjoy the tranquillity."

The fundraising to help pay for both the garden and for a scanner at Leeds General Infirmary continues with A Grand Auction of Promises on September 10 at The City Arms in Fawcett Street. If you would like to donate a promise or a prize, phone St George's School on 01904 636427.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.