Seafront memorial remembers Ben

The poem on the memorial was written by one of Ben's friends

A permanent bench memorial for a teenager who was murdered as he walked home from a night out has been unveiled on Swansea seafront.

Ben Bellamy, 17, from Sketty Park in the city, was beaten up by three teenagers for his mobile and cash card and left to drown in September 2005.

His family and friends have raised more than £11,000 for the Ben Bellamy fund and the money has paid for the bench.

They say they hope people will use the bench to sit and reflect on Ben's life.

The teenager's uncle Tony Rees said: "It means a lot to the family. It shows that after the tragic events which happened to Ben, there are still a lot of people in Swansea who care.

"We are very grateful to Ben's friends and the people of Swansea who have helped make it possible."

The family have already been to see the memorial and they are pleased with it Ben's uncle, Tony Rees

Ben was attacked on the Swansea foreshore in September 2005 as he walked home from Cinderella's club in Mumbles where he had spent the night out with friends.

He was beaten up, stripped and his body was dumped in the sea. Joel Taylor, 18, and Joshua Thomas, 16, both from Swansea were convicted of his murder and jailed for life and told they must serve at least 22 and 18 years respectively.

A third teenager, Andrew Rafferty, was initially ordered to serve at least five years after being convicted of manslaughter, but his sentence for robbery was changed to seven years on appeal.

The octagonal cast iron bench and granite table dedicated to the Olchfa comprehensive school pupil was unveiled in a service at 1100 GMT on Sunday.

Sixth former Ben Bellamy was murdered two years ago

The memorial has been erected by Swansea council on Swansea promenade opposite Brynmill Arch near a tree where his friends have continued to place flowers and other tributes since he was murdered.

Members of Ben's family and friends, representatives of his school, Swansea council leader Chris Holley, and the Lord Mayor, Councillor Susan Waller, were at the gathering.

Ben's uncle said members of his family were pleased with the memorial.

"It is in a place where people can go and reflect on Ben's life."