THE mother of a Merseyside soldier killed in Iraq has told of her pride after returning to his old school in the Wirral to plant a tree in his memory.

Lt Philip West, 32, from Hoylake, was one of six British servicemen who died when two navy Sea King helicopters collided over the northern Arabian Gulf on March 22, 2003.

Opening a new garden of remembrance at Calday Grange grammar, in West Kirby, where she planted the birch tree sapling, his mother Valerie Hall said:"It was an absolutely beautiful service and it felt very special to be here.

"I am very proud and delighted the school is remembering my son in this way."

Lt West attended Calday Grange between 1981 and 1988, and it was there he developed an interest in the Royal Navy after joining the combined cadet force.

Calday Grange decided it would be fitting that Philip, nicknamed Stretch by comrades due to his 6ft 4ins height, was the first person to be honoured in the memorial tree garden..

The garden will contain up to 10 trees honouring pupils and staff who have died serving their countries or in other tragic circumstances.

The memorial launch included music from cadet pupils and a service from Rev John Williams, the Queen's Honorary Chaplain to the Royal Naval Reserve in Liverpool.

Paying tribute to the naval lieutenant, laid to rest with full military honours, headteacher Andrew Hall said: "From time to time Calday is directly touched by the loss of life in service and we are extremely proud of those former students.Lt. Philip West was one such former student who demonstrated his bravery through his service in Iraq."

He was described as a favourite among colleagues at 849 squadron, Culdrose and served on HMS Invincible in the Adriatic in 1996 for which he was awarded the campaign medal.