KINDLY Farnworth resident Mrs Audrey McCann has found a way to help friends and neighbours whose pets have died.

She writes poems and prose in memoriam.

"I think it does help," she said. "That is certainly what they say, and I'm happy if it does." Typical of her gentle words is this piece about some friends who lost a beloved pet, and found another:

"Margaret and Ian had lost a faithful friend

Their house was so empty and so in the end

They went to the Dog Shelter

For a look round one day

Looking for a new pal who wanted to play

Then they saw Ben a lovely little dog

With a cute little face and eyes full of love.

They brought him home and he settled in well

He thinks his new home is great, you can tell

He goes for walks and plays with a ball

His mum and dad are glad they made that call.

Sometimes he looks up with his cheeky grin

As if to say 'I'm glad these lovely folk

Are my new kith and kin.'"