Letterboxes giving grieving families and loved ones the opportunity to post letters to their loved ones in heaven are set to be installed in two County Durham cemeteries in the near future.

Stephenson Way and West Cemetery in Newton Aycliffe will soon both have their very own letterbox to heaven to let visitors and families a way to send messages, birthday, Christmas cards and more to loved ones who have passed away.

The masterminds behind the project are councillors Joanne and Neville Jones, runners of Newton Aycliffe Community Spirit - who were inspired by a similar idea by the Angels Trust.

A picture of what the letterbox will look like.A picture of what the letterbox will look like. (Image: NEWTON AYCLIFFE COMMUNITY SPIRIT)

Joanne told The Northern Echo: "I saw the idea and thought, oh my goodness - we need that in our town. We think it's something that can massively help people with the bereavement process.

"So, we put the idea out there and managed to secure funding and got the project going."

A suggestion at first to use seeded paper was quickly abandoned in favour of using soil. The composted letters in soil will then be used to grow flowers for funeral ceremonies.

Joanne added that reaction to the project has been overwhelmingly positive - garnering thousands of reactions and comments on social media.

Neville and Joanne Jones of Community Spirit Newton Aycliffe.Neville and Joanne Jones of Community Spirit Newton Aycliffe. (Image: NEWTON AYCLIFFE COMMUNITY SPIRIT)

She said: "We have had four and a half thousand comments from people up and down the country - not just from the North East.

"From Glasgow to Australia it's gone far and wide. I think our post may inspire other people to do something similar and start a programme in other crematoriums."

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Joanne added: "It's been so lovely to do this. I am a nurse by profession so I do deal with a lot of grief and bereavement. 

"It's great to know there is that outlet for people - and a legacy that will last forever where people can keep their loved ones' memories alive for years to come."

Joanne and Neville are still in the process of getting the boxes installed but they should be up and running in the next few weeks.