money raised for schoolgirl Natasha Stapleton, who died from cancer, may be used to buy a minibus in her memory.

More then £30,000 was intended to fund a holiday-of-a-lifetime to Disneyland, Paris and other comforts but she died before she had the chance to enjoy all the benefits, on September 11, this year.

Now trustees at Falmer High School, Brighton, where 13-year-old Natasha was a pupil, are proposing the money should be used to buy a minibus for youngsters in Moulsecoomb.

The remaining funds may go to Leo House Hospice, Hove, for terminally-ill children.

However, as the money was originally donated specifically for Natasha, the school trustees must first give donors the opportunity for money to be returned.

They should write to the school giving proof of the donation within three months.

Headteacher Antony Edkins said: "The idea of buying a minibus for youngsters was suggested at school and by members of the community. This was because there are not many minibuses, apart from school ones, in East Brighton.

"The trustees wanted to spend the money appropriately and wisely, giving back to a community which was so generous.

We thought a minibus in the name of Natasha Stapleton would provide a long lasting memorial to her."

Natasha, from Eggington Close, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, died after a 15-week battle against melanoma cancer.

People touched by her plight set out to raise up to £5,000 to send Natasha to Disneyland.

Mr Edkins said: "We never dreamed the community would raise more then £30,000.

"Sadly she didn't go to Disneyland but everything she requested was paid for."

He said the trustees proposed some money go to the Leo House Hospice appeal because of the need to make a difference to the lives of terminally-ill children.

At her funeral more than 500 people gathered at Downs crematorium to pay their respects to Liverpool fan Natasha, including classmates from Falmer High School.