THE lives of two children who died in a house fire will be remembered in a colourful garden at the school in their town.

The Rainbow Garden in memory of Zak Varma, 8, and his sister, Chloe, 4, was opened at North Tawton Community Primary School last Friday. Zak was a pupil and Chloe was due to start there next January.

The colourful garden, which was designed by pupils and staff from the school, features butterflies, sunflowers and rainbows.

The two children were killed in a house fire started by their father, who also died last June.

Staff, pupils and parents gathered at the garden, which is situated at the front area of the school, to pay their respects to Zak and Chloe.

Headteacher at North Tawton School Nick D'Agorne said the day was very special for everybody: 'The day was a celebration of the good life Zak and Chloe had with the school and North Tawton as a community.

'We are looking ahead now and wanted to call it the Rainbow Garden instead of a memorial garden, because Zak was always painting and drawing rainbows.

'They were his favourite artwork and there are lots of rainbows and colours in the garden to replicate that. Chloe's favourites were butterflies, so the garden has lots of them too.'

Mr D'Agorne expressed thanks to everyone who helped support the garden.

He said: 'One of our staff, Marina Cassells, has been such a massive help — without her, the gardens wouldn't have happened.

'She helped organise an auction, which raised £1,000 — she used to work with Zak and wanted to be able to give something back —she's an amazing person.'

Staff and children spent the day dressed up as pirates and princesses, to mark the opening.

Mr D'Agorne added: 'Zak would often come into school dressed as a pirate and Chloe loved princesses, so that really stuck — we wanted the day to show we are looking forwards to the future and to show that Zak and Chloe will always be with us.'