A DEDICATED Book of Remembrance for families who have lost babies and children will be available for families in West Cumbria.

The book will be available to view in the Chapel of Remembrance at Distington Crematorium, alongside the existing Book of Remembrance.

Both can be professionally inscribed with memorial tributes by calligraphers, and small illustrations can be added alongside messages.

This new Book of Remembrance is in addition to the existing baby memorial book, where anyone affected by the loss of a child can personally write their own message at any time.

This is also kept in the Chapel of Remembrance.

Councillor Andy Pratt, Copeland’s portfolio holder for bereavement services, said: “Alongside the tree we have recently planted in the grounds of Distington Hall Crematorium, this book will be dedicated to much loved babies and children who are no longer with us.”

The remembrance tree was planted in October to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, and provide families with a place to reflect.

Application forms for those who wish to have a message inscribed in either of the books of remembrance, are available from Distington Crematorium.

Forms can also be collected at the Chapel of Remembrance or downloaded from the council’s website copeland.gov.uk/attachments/book-remembrance-application-children-and-babies.

For more information, contact Copeland's Bereavement Services team at distingtonhalladmin@copeland.gov.uk, or on 01946 598300 option 4.