A partnership has been formed between two Darlington businesses offering people a book of remembrance they can cherish.

A funeral parlour has struck a deal with a photography company to give families a new way to treasure old photographs and memorabilia of loved ones.

Malcolm Singleton, of Studio 2000, in Bondgate, approached John Whitehouse, of Whitehouse Funeral Service, Cockerton, with the idea of creating the remembrance book.

"We can already supply these colourful, bound books for weddings and special family occasions," he said.

The 49-year-old recently decided to take the concept one step further by offering the service to people who had lost relatives.

All the material people want included in the book is sent to a company in Italy, called Graphistudio, and digitally copied before being displayed in the final product.

"I had one designed and created in my father's memory and it is fantastic. My mother, Olive, looks at it every day and I think it really helps her," Mr Singleton said.

Studio 2000 and the funeral parlour are believed to be the first in the country to offer the service.

Mr Whitehouse said the books can hold people's memories for the rest of their lives.

"It can include anything people want - letters, poems, readings, hymns," he said.

"I have seen an example of the finished product, which costs around £500, and it is absolutely unbelievable. The quality is second-to-none."

Mr Singleton can be contacted on (01325) 281000.