A BUSINESS in County Durham, which has revived the use of the humble telegram, is attracting attention from overseas.

Imperial Telegrams was set up during the summer by Lotty Maddison, of Durham, and her father, Harold, a retired schoolteacher, to produce authentic telegrams using vintage postage stamps.

The online venture is attracting increasing orders month-on-month from customers across the UK as well as in the US and Norway.

Ms Maddison came up with the idea last Christmas while lamenting the lost art of letter writing.

She officially launched the business in June, with support from Durham Small Business Enterprise.

The 23-year-old has designed the telegrams using period fonts dating back to the last century and authentic stamps. An old-fashioned nib pen is used for the handwritten text.

The date and destination are printed using typewriters from the 1930s and 1940s, which Ms Maddison bought from online site Ebay.

Her mother, Isobel, said the business was thriving. She said: "What she is doing is unique and the feedback has been wonderful. Telegrams are really personal so people are thrilled when they receive one.

"When she started the business, she didn't imagine it would be so successful so quickly.

"Orders are coming in from all over the country as well as from the US and Norway of all the places.

"The business has gone from being a little idea to having six good months and I think the potential is enormous.

"The website is in the process of being redesigned so we can offer a professional, international service and Lotty is got a lot of ideas for the future."

Telegram prices start from £10 and customers type the message they want written on the telegram into a template on the firm's website.

For more information about the business, log on to www. imperialtelegrams.co.uk