Glass plan for loved one's ashes

There are a number of items available

A new way of displaying a loved one's ashes is being pioneered at a north Devon glass factory.

Craftsmen at Dartington Crystal have teamed up with David Evans and Wendy Redmore to create Memory Glass.

The technique involves blending the cremated ashes of people who have died into valuables such as glass vases, paper weights and jewellery.

The idea was inspired by Ms Redmore who wanted a fitting way to remember her mother Winnie who died in 2003.

Patented process

Dartington is thought to be the first firm in the UK to offer the patented fusion process combining human ashes with lead crystal.

The process works by rolling layers of molten-hot glass in the ashes before it is shaped.

And it is not just human ashes which can be added to the glass, the remains of pets, even horses, can go in too.

Ms Redmore's son, Kris Farndell, is marketing manager of the Somerset-based company Winnie Glass.

He said: "If you have buried a loved one or scattered the ashes in a place where they lived you might have a very long journey to go where they were.

"If you have a piece like this you can move it round with you, you will always have a piece of them close to you."

Prices start from £175 for the paperweight.