A funeral director is making an unusual appeal... for relatives to collect 20 sets of unclaimed ashes.

Tonbridge funeral director Ord Hume is hoping some of the 20 families who have left ashes unclaimed for sometimes more than a decade will step forward before the firm moves.

The company, which has conducted funerals for more than four decades in the town, said many of the ashes had been in their care for more than 10 years - with the oldest set dating back to 1998.

Now the doors are set to close on the firm's Quarry Hill Road branch for the final time on July 12.

The team will then become part of W. & F. Groombridge, another local funeral director, just a mile away in the centre of town.

Alison Hazel from Ord Hume said: “After a funeral, the ashes are kept at our branch until family members are ready to collect them.

"However, we understand that there are many reasons why families may choose to keep the ashes in our care.

"For some, collecting them is too painful, while others simply need more time to decide what to do with them."

"We hope it will encourage families to come forward and talk to a member of our team about any specific wishes they may have or the options available to them" - Alison Hazel

“With so many uncollected ashes and our imminent relocation, we decided to launch this appeal.

"We hope it will encourage families to come forward and talk to a member of our team about any specific wishes they may have or the options available to them.

"Those who come forward after our relocation can still speak to member of our team via the W. & F. Groombridge branch.”

She stressed the appeal wasn't aimed at recently bereaved families, or those who have asked for the ashes to be kept for a specific reason, such as until they die.

Those who think a relative's ashes may be held at the Ord Hume branch should call 01732 353746 and speak to a member of the team.