A nine-year-old girl’s touching wish to send a letter to her late grandparents has led to the "postboxes to heaven" being rolled out nationwide.

Matilda Handy suggested the heartwarming idea to her mum while looking for a way to express her grief.

Now Witney Town Council is installing the cream-coloured post boxes in both its Tower Hill and Windrush cemeteries.

Councillor Rachel Crouch, chair of halls, cemeteries and allotments, said: “What a beautiful idea and such a kind way to support grieving families.”

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The council said that their feedback showed the act of writing a letter, or posting a card or picture to a lost loved one brought comfort to many people.

It was especially important to those grieving on anniversaries and special days such as Christmas.

Melanie Jones, Chair of Witney Friends of the Cemeteries group, said: “I am delighted that one of the postboxes to heaven is now in place at Windrush Cemetery.

"Witney Town Council is always keen to support those who are grieving in any way possible, and we thank them.

"We are looking forward to seeing a postbox in Tower Hill cemetery too, in due course.”

Witney Town Council said the postboxes are not exclusively for use by those with people buried in the town’s cemeteries but are available to anyone that might take comfort from posting a letter or even a child's drawing.

The boxes will be administered and emptied, when full, by Town Council staff and the contents will be treated sensitively, confidentially and with respect.

The council added: "We do ask that you don’t post anything other than paper and please do not put anything precious that you will want to keep in the boxes, as we cannot return things once they have been posted."

Matilda's mum Leanne, from Arnold, Nottingham, said: "My mum and dad are in heaven and so we're sending them letters in heaven.

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"My mum passed away in 2017 and since then Matilda has always said she wishes we could send cards and letters to her mama in heaven.

"My mum worked in a post office for 25 years in our local community and it just seemed fitting for her.

"It's used every single day, whether its someone old or young.

"People find real comfort in sending something, whether it's a child drawing a picture or an older person sending something to their loved ones.

"The art of writing something helps with the process."