FAMILIES who have recently lost a loved one will pay a moving tribute at a memorial service next month.

On December 4, dozens of lights - each representing the life of someone who has passed away - will be lit in a poignant ceremony at St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham City.

One by one, the twinkling lights hanging from a tree will illuminate the darkened room and the names of loved ones will be read from the Book Of Lights during a short service of remembrance.

Light Up A Life has become an annual event at the hospice, helping families come to terms with their bereavement at one of the most difficult times of the year.

The event began as a national fundraising campaign - with families encouraged to dedicate a light hanging on a tree at Durham's railway station in exchange for a donation to the cause.

However, in recent years the emphasis has changed more to helping families cope with their loss.

The carol singing has been replaced with simple acts of remembrance and the venue changed to somewhere more conducive to quiet contemplation.

Christine Knowles, counsellor at St Cuthbert's, said: "Christmas is a really difficult time.

"If you have lost someone during the course of the year then, while the rest of the world is looking forward to celebrating Christmas, you can feel isolated or have memories which are upsetting and it can be quite traumatic.

"Light Up A Life recognises the life of someone who has passed away and gives a mechanism to recognise that it is sad time.

"It helps acknowledge that sadness and acknowledge that life."

The service will start with a rendition of In The Bleak Midwinter, performed by pupils from Durham High School For Girls, to recognise the feeling of despair felt by many bereaved relatives which hopefully lifts as the lights are lit and the names are read.

Christine said: "It is bleak and that needs to be acknowledged, but it's about bringing some light into the darkness, so by the time people leave, maybe having had some tears, maybe having had some thoughts, they leave a little bit lighter."

Many of those invited to the service will have had some contact with the hospice towards the end of the life of a loved one, but it is open to all to attend.

The service takes place at St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Park House Road, Durham City, at 4pm on Sunday, December 4.

The book of remembrance will be opened on that day and will remain available at the hospice until Christmas Eve.

Anyone wishing to have a light dedicated to a loved one, or to have their details recorded in the Book Of Lights, should contact Sarah Bailey at the hospice before 5pm on December 2.

Please ring 0191-386 1170 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.