A SCHOOL is remembering their "smiley, happy, precious" classmate "Dezzy" Jordon by unveiling a new play equipment in her memory.

A year ago Didcot was rocked by the tragic deaths of six-year-old Derin, and her parents Janet Jordan and Philip Howard.

But to commemorate the All Saints School pupil's life headteacher, John Myers, invited school families to enjoy a picnic at the opening of the new playground area.

He said: "The school came together to celebrate her life with a picnic, it was a great way to remember her.

"We are very grateful to Changing Lives in Didcot for a generous grant of £1,000 towards the new play area."

A plaque has been placed next to the wooden play area at the school in Tamar Way, Didcot, inscribed: "In loving memory of Dezzy 23.5.2016."

Jed Allen, 21, killed his half-sister Derin, his mother Janet Jordon and her partner Philip Howard on May 23 last year and was found dead in woodland off Marston Ferry Road in Oxford two days later.

Mr Myers previously described Derin as "beautiful, gentle, quiet, smiley, happy, precious, a lovely girl" and said: "It was such a terrible tragedy.

"Anybody's life is precious and to lose parents and particularly a young girl in such a dreadful manner is truly awful."

As a thank you to the charity for its donation the school presented its founder, Val Prior with a card and flowers.

Ms Prior who manages the shop in Broadway said projects like these were why she set up her charity.

She said: "One of the parents approached me a while ago about fundraising money for the play equipment.

"And I said 'of course we would help' - I treated the school's appeal just as I would anyone elses.

"We need projects like this to help and fund, we have got money to give away and I couldn't think of a better project than this.

"It is such a wonderful way to remember a lovely little girl and I hope the equipment brings a lot of joy to youngsters for years to come.

"As a parent your heart breaks over what happened last year, but I hope this will be a place where people can go to remember her."

Former mayor, Des Healy, who took up his position just weeks before the tragedy described Didcot as a "small town with a big heart".

He said: "The town has tried to cope and move on with life, not forgetting the tragedy for one minute."

New mayor Steve Connel said in times of tragedy the town always came together.

He added: "This new play equipment is not only a much needed boost for one of our local schools, it is a clear demonstration of how much the people of Didcot truly care for one another."