Memory bench and tree for siblings killed in crash

Darcie and Roman Casselden died in the crash near Basildon in Essex in February

A memorial bench and tree will be installed for two children who died after being struck by a car while riding an e-scooter.

Basildon Borough Council's Pitsea area committee agreed at a meeting on Thursday to invest £2,849.44 towards the tributes which will be located at the corner of Plumleys and Little Searles.

Siblings Roman Casselden, 16, and nine-year-old Darcie, died after they were struck by a car in Pitsea, Essex, on 1 February.

Labour councillor Emma Callaghan said: "I understand the bench will be in a field where the kids used to play with their friends, so it's got significance to the family, the community and the kids who knew them."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, at the meeting it was said that two plaques were to be installed by early February for the first anniversary.

Callaghan said: "I just want to express my full support for anything we can do for that poor family that lost those poor young kids."

Huge crowds attended the vigil in Pitsea to pay their respects following siblings' death

The children's mother, also named Emma, said in a statement released through police that "their love, kindness, and spirit live on in the hearts of all who knew them".

Fellow Labour councillor Mike Baker said: "It was clear from the reaction we saw first-hand at the vigil and funeral and so on, what community support the family has had and what a priority this would be.

"It's very heartening to see that."

Deimante Ziobryte, 21 of Merrivale in Benfleet, has been charged with failure to stop at the scene of the crash and is next due to appear in court on 8 January.