REDDITCH Crematorium has donated more than £4,000 to a Worcestershire bereavement charity.

Footsteps, a free support service for families, was presented £4,445 on Friday, April 29.

With permission from families the crematorium recycles metals, such as replacement joints, that are left behind after a loved one is cremated.

Sue Smith, from Footsteps, said: "We provide our service free of charge to bereaved families and can only continue to do so with the support of the local community.

"We are immensely grateful to receive this valuable donation from the Crematorium, which will help us enormously in our work."

Michael Birkinshaw, Redditch Borough Council bereavement services manager, said: "We’re proud to do all that we can to support our local community, particularly people that are going through a bereavement."

Previously, controversial plans to use waste heat from the crematorium and diverting it to heat the Abbey Stadium’s swimming pool received huge publicity around the world.

Later, the Crematorium Energy Recovery Project was also praised in Parliament and received a Green Apple award, in an international campaign to find the greenest companies, councils and communities.

For more information on the charity call on 0845 467 6065 or visit talktofootsteps.co.uk.