A unique way to remember a loved one has arrived in West Cumbria. 

Customers of Cumbria Headstones can opt for a QR code to be engraved on a headstone so people can scan it on their smartphone in the graveyard.

The code - like a barcode - directs the user to a website all about the person. 

Mark Hodgson, who runs the firm with his wife Rebecca, said: "Headstones can only say so much, whereas a website can include all sorts of information, photos and even videos about the person.

"It can give you the full story. It's great for genealogists. I think young people will like it too, they can use their smartphones to scan it.

"It's an American idea and has only recently been introduced into this country. 

"It's starting to take off down south. I think it will take off, everything has moved on so much.

"Some of my customers think it's brilliant, others are less keen. No one has taken us up on it yet."

Mr and Mrs Hodgson, of Moorclose, Workington, have opened a showroom off Main Street in Cockermouth.  

They set up their business two years ago.

Mr Hodgson, a former civil engineer, said: "We offer everything, from start to finish. We make the headstones, do the inscriptions and installation.

"There are no monumental masons in Cockermouth so we felt this was a good opportunity."