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Staff at Machen’s Co-op store have been leaving flowers the shop can no longer sell next to the neighbouring churchyard so grieving families can brighten-up loved ones graves.

“It’s just something to help people out who are struggling,” staff member Gill James said.

“We have been doing it for a few weeks now. The flowers still look pretty and it would be a waste to see them thrown away. It’s a nice gesture for people who can’t always afford flowers.”

When asked, Ms James said while this isn’t a Co-op initiative, staff will continue to put flowers out next to the gates of St John’s Church.

She added: “I’ve had a few women come over and thank me. One woman decided to put the flowers on all of the graves that hadn’t had any flowers in a while.

“It’s nice to see people still care about these things. It’s the least we can do.”