PHUKET: A memorial woodland has been opened at a school in Britain in memory of a former student who was killed in the 2004 tsunami on Phuket.

Mother-of-four Louise Willgrass, 43, who died in the tragic events of Boxing Day 2004, was remembered during a special ceremony at Sacred Heart School, at Swaffam in Norwich, where the new woodland playground will be used by children from the Little Pedlars Nursery.

All four Willgrass children survived the tsunami with their father Nigel when the wave struck the Thai holiday resort of Phuket.

It is believed she died in Patong after dropping in to a downstairs convenience store in beach road to buy some suncream.

The pain of the tsunami has faded with time but Mr Willgrass told the BBC a few days after the tsunami: ''There was a door on the right-hand side that said 'morgue' and she was in there with many, many other people.

''I wanted to take her wedding ring and they wouldn't let me. There was nobody there for me. It was just awful.''

Almost 5400 people, half of them tourists and half Thais, died in Thailand's worst natural disaster. About 220,000 deaths were recorded around the Indian Ocean.

Sister Francis Ridler, who has been the Sacred Heart School's headteacher since 1979, said: ''Louise was an active member of the school. She was a really friendly and happy girl and as she grew older she really loved children.

''She would have enjoyed seeing this play area opened today. It is a wonderful opportunity for the children to enjoy the woodland, and we are very grateful for all the hard work that has been done.''

The play area was funded with 5000 pounds raised by Mrs Willgrass's parents and the Rotary Club of Swaffham.