AN oak tree has been planted at Haigh Hall in memory of ranger Helen Franzen who died recently at the age of 24.

A bench will be dedicated at the Wigan park at a service attended by family, colleagues and leisure department officials.

A service took place on Tuesday at Wigan Crematorium for the former Lowton High School pupil and Leeds University student who had cancer.

After graduation Helen, a keen environmentalist, undertook several voluntary assignments including protecting turtles on Crete.

She then worked on temporary contracts as a ranger at Leigh's Pennington Flash, Three Sisters, Orrell Water Park and finally Haigh Hall where she was looking forward to becoming a permanent employee.

She lived with her parents Irene and Sandy in Lowton.