Care home 'inundated' with letters after appeal

Dinah Johnson founded the Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society six years ago

A woman who asked people to write letters to residents of a care home has been "inundated" with responses.

Dinah Johnson appealed on social media for letters ahead of a visit to the 25-resident Clifftop Care Home in Swanage, Dorset, on Thursday.

Ms Johnson, founder of the The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society, said the request resulted in the residents receiving 107 letters - more than four times what she had expected.

"It was really amazing to receive so many responses," she said.

Residents said they had enjoyed reading the letters

The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society has 1,345 members in 36 countries around the world.

Ms Johnson said handwritten letters were "one of the loveliest, most personal things, anyone can receive" and felt many people "may be missing a handwritten letter".

"We want to spread the word - it seems ironic to be doing this [appeal] on social media and - like I say we are never against the digital world - it's about getting the message out there and things can go happily together."

More than 100 letters were sent to the home

She had made the request ahead of a planned visit to hold a letter writing session at the home.

"It was so lovely to visit, everyone was so animated when they received their letters and cards," she said.

"There were just lots of smiles and happiness."

Residents told the BBC they had enjoyed reading the letters, and the care home said there had been plenty of positive feedback.