A LASTING memorial to celebrate the life of a tragic schoolboy could be built in Deeside.

Nine-year-old Jordan Baker, from Connah’s Quay, drowned while swimming in the River Dee in 2009.

Community leaders are calling on Flintshire Council to install a permanent memorial at the Festival Gardens, next to Connah’s Quay Bowling Club, off High Street.

Spearheading the campaign is Connah’s Quay councillor Aaron Shotton, who says Jordan’s family are seeking a special bench to celebrate his life.

Cllr Shotton, a governor at Bryn Deva Primary School in Connah’s Quay, where Jordan was a pupil, said: “I am aware that for some time now, they have been looking to create a fitting permanent memorial to celebrate Jordan’s life.

“Given that recently we have successfully campaigned for improvements to the play area I feel that the site, when completed, would be perfect to establish a permanent memorial to Jordan.”

Jordan was swimming with his father Christopher Moore, brother Lewis and friend Jordan Clegg when tragedy struck on May 31, 2009.

An inquest heard the group were crossing the river via a sandbank when they got into difficulties and Jordan was swept away by strong undercurrents, despite frantic efforts by his father and onlookers to save him.

Seven-year-old Lewis and Jordan Clegg also struggled against the deadly force of the water, but both of them were rescued.

The play area at Festival Gardens is currently undergoing a makeover as part of a £250,000 cash injection from the Welsh Assembly Government into Connah’s Quay, Shotton and Queensferry.

The money will also be spent on a revamp of Queensferry’s War Memorial Institute, improving the area behind Church Street, Connah’s Quay, and installing parking bay on Alexandra Street and Terrig Street in Shotton

Connah’s Quay Cllr Bernie Attridge added: “The play area will be a really good facility once the work has been completed and I fully support Cllr Shotton’s calls for a memorial in the brand new play area.”

Flintshire Council were unavailable to comment.