A HEARTFELT thank you has been expressed by the local British Heart Foundation to everyone who has selected the charity to benefit from financial tributes to be given in place of flowers at funerals.

Kris Budge, Tavistock BHF branch treasurer and In Memoriam secretary for Tavistock and the district, has written to the Times to thank those in the local area for their generosity.

He said: 'Decisions can be hard to make at the difficult time of losing a loved one. However, the choice of the BHF shows an understanding of the vital work that the foundation has achieved to very significantly prolong and improve the quality of life of the very many sufferers from heart disease in this country.

'We simply ask that, when donations are to be given to charity in the place of funeral flowers, the BHF be in the thoughts of those who seek a proven, worthy and low cost charity to support.

'With 2.7-million people in this country currently living with and suffering from the serious disabling effects of heart disease there is clearly much still to be done.'

For more information contact Mr Budge on 01822 615338 or email [email protected]">[email protected]