A mid Essex hospice will be holding memorial services in Burnham-on-Crouch and the Dengie next month for residents to pay tribute to loved ones who have died.

The services are among the 10 being held across Essex by Farleigh Hospice, which is based in Chelmsford, as part of its Light Up a Life appeal this Christmas.

There will be a memorial service at St Leonard's Church, on Station Road in Southminster, on Wednesday, 1 December at 6.30pm.

The memorial service in Burnham will take place at St Mary's Church, on Church Road, on Thursday, 2 December at 7pm.

Residents are invited to congregate 30 minutes before each service at the churches.

A spokesperson for Farleigh Hospice said: "The Light Up a Life appeal acknowledges that Christmas can be a difficult time for those of us who have lost someone special, and invites people to remember them by making a donation and sharing memories, messages and pictures on the Light Up a Life memory page."

The services will take place from the end of November to mid-December across Essex, including Maldon and South Woodham Ferrers.

Donating to the appeal helps the hospice to provide care and support for anyone affected by a life-limiting illness or bereavement.

This includes people like Karen Matthams, who was referred to Farleigh in January 2020 with a diagnosis of incurable secondary breast cancer which had spread to other parts of her body.

Karen said: "Finding out your time is limited is very frightening - for you and those close to you.

"Farleigh was there for me from the point of diagnosis, they just took control which was what I needed. Farleigh's support felt like having a comfort blanket wrapped around me.

"Knowing that they were there for me and my family made me feel calmer in those first weeks.

"It gives me peace knowing that they will continue to be there for my family when my time comes.

"Farleigh has helped me, and my daughter, my sister and my mum deal with things.

"I honestly can't thank them enough. I'm not sure I could have gotten through this without them. I am so appreciative of everything they do.

"The whole team is just great, from my nurses, to the counsellors and the spiritual care team."

The Light Up a Life remembrance service at Chelmsford Cathedral will also be live streamed via the Farleigh Hospice Facebook page - which can be found here - for those that are unable to attend any of the services in person.

This service takes place on Thursday 9 December at 7pm.

For a full list of services, to make a donation and to share a memory click here.