EVERY family member lost will be remembered through a new initiative being launched in the hills around Largs.

Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium will plant a tree on behalf of every family and every funeral service they undertake this year.

Working in partnership with Eadha, nationally recognised experts in woodland creation and sustainability, more than 800 native and rare species trees are expected to be planted during the rest of this year.

The cost of the trees, the planting, and the on-going management and care will be covered by the crematorium at no extra cost to families.

The tree saplings will come from Eadha’s specialist nursery in Lochwinnoch and planting will take place every month.

A note of where the trees have been planted for each given month will be taken - allowing families to be able to visit the living memorial to their loved one.

As well as enhancing the landscape, the project will meet a number of important environmental objectives, offset carbon and help promote greater biodiversity.

Owner Jeremy Hamilton, pictured, explained: “We think that this is a gentle idea and one that is also meaningful in terms of timing given the unprecedented situation we are facing through Covid-19.

“We were all set to launch the Tree for Every Family and Every Service in March, then the coronavirus situation arose and we decided to pause what we were doing. But the time now feels right to pick things back up.

“We feel that it’s a simple idea but one with a lot of meaning – it’s about legacy and connecting the local people, families and communities that we help with the landscape that we all share.

“Hopefully it will allow people to take some comfort, knowing that in time the tree will grow and develop, creating a new landscape for the benefit of nature and future generations."