Readers of The Argus have helped pay for a memorial playground for a ten-year-old boy who drowned a year ago today.

One reader, touched by Timmy Barry's death, wrote a cheque for £1,000.

More than £10,000 has been raised through donations from individuals and businesses.

With a pound-for-pound grant from a Government fund, work is about to start and the playground should be ready in the spring.

Timmy, who was autistic, died off Brighton beach near the marina while on an outing with his outreach worker, Janette Moss, of Heathdown Close, Peacehaven.

Mrs Moss, 45, drowned with Timmy and it is thought she was trying to save him.

The Argus published appeals following the launch of a fund to construct a Timmy Barry playground and garden at Hillside Special School in Portslade, where he was a pupil.

Head teacher Bob Wall said the response had been fantastic.

He said: "I am delighted and I want to say a huge thank you to all who helped."

School bursar Fran Cable said sponsored walks, barbecues and bring-and-buy sales by students, parents and friends, plus donations from companies and individuals, had raised more than £10,000.

Another £3,000 will come from the school's budget and the £13,000 total will be matched by a grant from a Government seed-challenge fund, designed to help with school capital projects.

Timmy's parents, Emma and Andy, and his 15-year-old sister, Amanda, of Linthouse Close, Peacehaven, thanked everyone as they marked the anniversary.

Mrs Barry said: "We are very grateful for the kind donations and the time and effort of lots of people.

"It has been an on-going event to revamp a semi-derelict area within the school grounds to make a garden and to install specialised play equipment for use by the pupils."