A SOUTH Norfolk funeral business has become more environmentally friendly, thanks to the help of a group of local schoolchildren.

A SOUTH Norfolk funeral business

has become more environmentally frie-ndly, thanks to the help of a group of local schoolchildren.

The Rosedale Funeral Home, which is based in Wymondham, Attleborough, and Diss, took up a challenge from Wymondham High School pupils as part of a campaign to reduce the use of plastic carrier bags in the town.

The 11 to 14-year-old Green Team members helped the funeral director to develop a new range of hessian bags for people to carry their ashes caskets in.

The schoolchildren also designed a new range of long-lasting biodegradable papier-mache urns, incorporating pressed flowers and leaves.

Andrew Free, funeral director at Rosedale Funeral Home, said they had already received positive feedback from a number of families.

"We wanted to introduce a bag which we could use to return cremated remains to families, which would

look dignified and

respectful, yet still be environmentally friendly.

"The Green Team responded to the request to advise on an appropriate bag that could be used again and as a result we have commissioned a range of hessian bags to match up in sizes to our ashes caskets," he said.

Ann Roberts, community education worker, added: "This project provoked much discussion on a subject that many of the children had not faced before.

"They have given a lot of their time, and Rosedale's response is another great example of the difference the Green Team is making in the town."