DEDICATED students at The Chase School have spent their summer holidays building a boat in memory of a much-loved teacher.

Everyone at the school was devastated when head of business and economics Derek Lang died after suffering a heart attack during February half-term.

While many teens took their ease over the summer it was all hands on deck for Chase sixth-formers as they spent their days in the school’s workshop.

Business and economics teacher Chris Bell, who thought of the project when he remembered that Mr Lang, 48, once served in the Royal Navy, said their efforts had really paid off, with the 14-foot vessel taking shape and potentially ready to set sail as soon as October half-term.

Completion will be marked by an official launch at Arden Sailing Club, on the river Avon at Defford, near Pershore, after staff read about the project in the Malvern Gazette.

Ex-students also came forward to offer their assistance, while local firms including Morgan Motors and builders merchants Travis Perkins have helped with equipment.

Waitrose selected the project as a beneficiary of its “Community Matters” initiative.

Mr Bell said: “They also now know some seriously technical nautical terms.”