'Letters to heaven' postbox unveiled for Christmas

A 'letters to heaven' postbox has been installed at a cemetery in time for Christmas.

The postbox, installed at Stanley Cemetery in County Durham, encourages people to write letters to people they have lost.

Local Katy Wilson was inspired to bring the idea to the area after seeing it at a cemetery in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and thinking it was "amazing".

"I know sometimes it's hard to express your feelings, so if some people find it a lot easier to write it down, that's absolutely amazing," she said.

Ms Wilson said she got permission from Durham County Council to install the postbox in March.

It was after she asked people in Stanley if they wanted it via social media.

"In my head, I wanted it up the two weekends before Christmas so it'd give people the chance, once they've seen it, to go home and write their letters," Ms Wilson said.

The postbox was installed on 16 December.

She was there as the stones were moved, the grass was dug up, concrete was poured in and the postbox drilled onto its pole, by her friend Sean Young.

"I was very emotional but excited at the same time because I wanted this since March."

She has thanked people for their kind reaction on social media.

Hundreds reacted to the announcement, saying it was a "lovely idea" and "the most thoughtful thing".

Ms Wilson has the only key to the postbox and will be responsible for removing the letters when it gets full.

She said they do not get opened or read, and will be respectfully disposed of by burning.

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