A DEDICATED young zookeeper has been remembered with a school award created in her memory.

Sarah McClay died after being attacked by a tiger at South Lakes Safari Zoo three years ago and in her memory, Dowdales School in Dalton decided to create an environmental award to give to a pupil who goes the extra mile to help conserve green spaces.

Miss McClay's mother, Fiona, attended the annual prizegiving ceremony at the school on Thursday night and was delighted to see Year Nine pupil Rona Bisset pick up the Sarah McClay Trophy for Sustainability.

She said: "It's a fantastic gesture from the school and it's nice to think that Sarah will be remembered there for years to come.

"Nature and the environment was something very close to her heart so this is something she would have really appreciated and Rona is a very worthy winner."

Thirteen-year-old Rona, who does a lot of work for her school's eco club, was delighted to win the squirrel trophy in memory of Miss McClay.

She said: "It's nice to be recognised for all of my hard work. I don't like seeing rubbish everywhere and it's really nice to be the first person to get this award."

South Lakes Safari Zoo was fined more than £250,000 in June earlier this year after admitting safety failings over a Sumatran tiger which killed Miss McClay, 24, in May 2013.

Mrs McClay believes that the court's verdict acted as closure for the family but she is still campaigning to make sure further deaths are prevented.

She said: "I think it was more-or-less closure. I don't think there is any point in us taking it any further. We would like to see the zoo made safer for animals. The court decided that neither the employees or the public were safe and that is what we have always been campaigning for - it was never about the money.

"It was proven in court that it could have been a lot worse and we have to make sure that such a thing never happens again. It doesn't get any easier and it's always difficult because I never know whether to say I have two or three children. It's a constant thing that is never going to completely go away."

Other winners on the night saw Matthew Culley, 13, pick up an award for the most improved technology pupil and active youngster Anya Clough, 12, win a trophy for excellence in sport.

Headteacher Julie O'Connor said: "Our students are our greatest asset. They have excellent attitudes to learning and the excellent teaching here inspires them to make very good progress across the curriculum.

"Excellence for all, in all that we do, is what we are all about at Dowdales and we are fortunate in having the very best students."

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