LOVED ones who have passed away are being remembered on a special tree of remembrance in Clayton-le-Moors.

Champ Funeral Services, in Whalley Road, put the 12 feet tall tree up earlier this month, and invited people to decorate paper snowflakes with a message to family members and friends who have died, before hanging them on the tree.

Visitors have enjoyed mulled wine, or hot chocolate, while spending a few moments reflecting on their loved ones.

Others have emailed their messages in for a staff member to write for them.

Funeral director, Lianna Champ, said the tree was displaying more than 100 messages so far.

The 49-year-old said: “We put baubles on in case it did not fill up, but we are slowly taking them off. I have written one myself, I lost my mum in 2011.

“We only started doing the tree this year, because we feel it’s such a difficult time of year for anybody who has lost someone, and it helps them to remember they are not on their own.

“We have sent letters to our clients and put an advert in the paper.

“It has been emotional to us too, as we have been receiving emails. Having to put those words on for them has been a humbling experience.”

Lianna founded the company in 1985, and was - at the time - the youngest female funeral director at the age of 21.

She said: “I have always wanted to be a funeral director since I was nine. When I