'Letters to heaven' postbox for grieving families

The postbox was installed at Oswestry Town Cemetery

A postbox has been placed at a Shropshire cemetery for people to send "letters to heaven" in a bid to support grieving families.

The box, made and donated by the British Ironwork Centre, is for relatives to leave messages for loved ones who have died.

The idea was inspired by a girl in Nottinghamshire who asked for a postbox to be installed in a crematorium so she could write to her grandparents.

"We hope this will help people in their grief," said Oswestry Town Mayor, Olly Rose.

Hannah said her 4-year-old son wanted to write to a grandad he had never met

Hannah is one of two parents who suggested the idea to former mayor Jay Moore after her four-year-old son Lucas said he wanted to write to a grandfather he had never met.

"He'll be sending a letter, Christmas cards, birthday cards," she said.

"We go down there quite regularly to his grandad's grave. He's quite curious about him.

"I think it's going to get well used. I know a few people who have lost children, who've got younger siblings, things like that, and it's just - I think it's comforting isn't it?"

Oswestry Mayor Olly Rose (right), pictured with Henry Teuma from the town council

Ms Rose thanked both the residents who proposed the postbox and the British Ironworks Centre for making it.

The letters, which will not be read by the council, will be "periodically discarded and composted," it said, with no stamps required.

The British Ironwork Centre said the story of the girl in Nottingham had motivated it to organise a "pilot scheme" to support those struggling with grief, in particular children.

"We are so passionate about supporting the local community and we are honoured to be partnering with Oswestry Town Council for this important project," a spokesperson added.

Similar postboxes have also been placed in Grimsby and Saltash, Cornwall.