Bagged order

A south Shropshire firm which sells environmentally-friendly coffins to funeral directors across Britain is celebrating after receiving its biggest ever order - from the USA.

Fine Timber Products, which is based on the county's border with Worcestershire, near Tenbury Wells, normally sells eco-coffins to undertakers across the UK but an order for 60 coffins from the Natural Burial Company in Oregon, USA, has led to a record-breaking month for the firm.

James Meynell, owner and chairman of the business, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have received this order from America.

"Most of our business is done in the UK but of course we are happy to export as well.

"The Natural Burial Company has become a regular client but this order -for a mixture of seagrass and a combination of brown and white willow models - is by far the biggest we have received from anybody."

FTP was set up by Mr Meynell in 2001, predominantly as an oak-flooring company, before launching the coffins division in 2006.

The raw materials for FTP's coffins are grown in Poland and China where they are all carefully harvested to ensure maximum regeneration and a continuous supply.