One year after three teenage boys and a student were killed in Oxford's Eastern Bypass crash, their memory is being kept alive.

A joint memorial garden is being opened this afternoon at Oxford Community School in tribute. The crash happened a year ago tomorrow.

The garden has been dedicated not only to former pupils and crash victims Josh Bartlett, 13, and Liam Hastings, 13, but also to Arash Ghorbani-Zarin, 19, who was stabbed to death by his girlfriend's brothers in a so-called 'honour killing' two years ago.

Memorial gardens have also opened in tribute to the other crash victims, Marshall Haynes, 13, and Howard Hillsdon, 21.

The garden at Oxford Community School will be officially opened by the boys' parents.

Assistant head teacher Sue Watkins was responsible for supporting the pupils the day after the school heard about the deaths.

She said: "It's been quite traumatic for students and some of them found it difficult, but being involved in designing the garden has helped. In some ways, it has been therapeutic, but memories do come flooding back and the next few days will be very difficult. It's not only a tribute to the three boys, but a place where we can all go and reflect.

"One of things that has come out of this is that the parents didn't know each other before, but working on this garden has really brought them together."

The garden has taken seven months to design and build, and pupils, families and friends have raised thousands of pounds for it.

With more than 600 plants, a 12ft magnolia tree and 13 benches, it is built with three triangular gardens, representing each student.

Over the past year, students and teachers have undergone bereavement counselling.

Mrs Watkins described the past year as the most difficult the school had had to face. It had been forced to tackle issues of death and bereavement most children were usually sheltered from.

She added: "It's working together as a community and everyone being aware and sensitive and recognising when students are struggling.

"It's been very difficult. It's something you don't ever think you will have to deal with, whether it's your family or school."