A TODDLER who lost his fight against cancer is to be remembered with the opening of a nursery memorial garden.

Charlie Dyson, from Kingsmead, attended Hartford Belgrave nursery from six months but tragically the three- year-old died from a sarcoma - a form of cancer that arises in the supportive tissues such as bone, cartilage, fat or muscle - in early June following a short battle with the disease.

Now staff at the Riddings Lane nursery have arranged a fun day on Saturday, September 24, to raise funds to construct a garden in memory of the much-loved tot.

Nursery manager Jennie Shinner said: "Charlie was very popular here and had lots of friends.

"He was such a character and was always smiling and so we wanted to have somewhere special where the children, staff and Charlie's family could go to remember him.

"There wasn't anything he didn't enjoy and he was involved with everything. He especially loved books."

And true to Charlie's character, the garden will be full of activity.

Jennie said: "It's going to be very interactive with lots of smelly things and items the children can experience. It will test all their senses."

Charlie's parents Claire and Mike are looking forward to helping out with the development and will also plant a tree in honour of their son.

Airline pilot Mike, 48, said: "It means such a lot to both of us and it's very touching to know how much Charlie is thought of during what has been a tremendously difficult time.

"Charlie's brother Harvey, who is 18 months, also comes to the nursery so it will be nice for him to muck in and help and have somewhere to go to be near Charlie.

"I may seem biased but Charlie was remarkable and well advanced beyond his three years. His diction in particular was great and he had a lovely personality, some of which we see in Harvey.

"We made the most of our time together and have lots of happy memories."