A FUNERAL home in Guisborough is offering a unique way of remembering loved ones.

Artwork encapsulating the life of a deceased friend or relative can now be ordered through the North-Eastern and Cumbrian Co-operative Funeral Service's home in Park Lane.

The pieces, known as living memorials, are created by artist and part-time teacher Denise Nesbitt, who lives in Liverton Village, near Saltburn,

She said: "When you lose someone there is a lot of focus on the death itself and the funeral, but very little to actually commemorate the life. But when you actually sit down and talk about a loved one you remember the happy times.

"With the living memorials I try to bring all those elements together to create something that really reflects the life of the person."

Working with a bereaved family, she tries to create a picture that brings together all the elements of the loved one's life.

The finished piece can be produced in anything from digital images to watercolours and can feature all aspects of a person's life, including personality, favourite place. hobbies and pastimes.

Ms Nesbitt, who runs Denise By Design, includes a written explanation with every living memorial and can also reproduce the design on a bookmark, plaque or smaller canvas for other family members.

Families can find out about the service through the Co-operative Funeral Service's home in Guisborough.

Dale Scollay, divisional manager, said: "This service provides an original form of memorial for bereaved families. If it can offer some sort of comfort then we are very happy to support it."