During the coronavirus pandemic technology has helped bridge the gap between loved ones by keeping people connected.

One grandson from Farnworth came up with an innovative way to use computer software to take his 90-year-old grandmother on a trip down memory lane.

Mark Lewis Jackson, 37, who works as a landscape architect and digital place maker, put his graphic design skills to use and created a virtual reality (VR) version of his grandmother's home in Australia.

His grandmother Penny Jackson currently resides at John Wesley Gardens care home in Brisbane, but she lived in the family home on Keona Road in the city for over 25 years.

When coronavirus hit, Mark realised that he wouldn't be able to visit her, so came up with the project to help her feel less alone.

He said: "I think covid-19 has impacted care home residents particularly bad. When it hit I thought about my granny in Australia and how she wouldn't be getting any visitors.

"I decided to recreate her home, which had been demolished back in 2004, as a virtual model.

"Care home residents haven't be able to go outside, so I felt it was important for her to see green spaces and somewhere where she has a personal connection.

"To create the video I relied on my own memories and photographs belonging to myself and family members.

"I also used old maps to verify the layout of the property. It was quite difficult getting the levels right as the garden slopes slightly."

Mark worked on the project overall several months throughout lockdown.

Due to lockdown measures it wasn't possible for a VR headset to be brought into Penny's care home.

A member of staff was able to show her the video on a tablet. Penny is showing signs of dementia so Mark was delighted that she recognised her home in the video.

Mark said: "She knew it was her home and staff said that she enjoyed watching the video.

"I think it helped jog her memory of a place where she had lots of happy memories.

"It's had a positive affect on her wellbeing which is very rewarding."