An appeal for empty jewellery boxes has captured the imagination of hundreds of people in Ely and Fenland prompting donations by the dozen.

Police stations across the area have issued an appeal for jewellery boxes or bags that people no longer want so they can be reused to return items of jewellery to the loved ones of those who have been involved in fatal accidents or other tragedies.

The idea came from family liaison officer Dotty Stott, who is based at March police station, and has spread to other police stations in the area.

Speaking on Radio Cambridgeshire’s Dotty McLeod’s breakfast show today (Monday) PC Stott said: “I am sure it will make a huge difference to people to receive these items in this way because they do become very precious. It is very personal to the person they have lost and I think we should present it in a nice way.

“We are very compassionate, family liaison officers do have a tough job, we don’t deliver winning lottery tickets.”

The appeal has been shared many times on Facebook and has prompted lots of messages of support and pledges of boxes.

Any type jewellery boxes or bags would be gratefully received at any of the area’s police stations including Ely’s station in Nutholt Lane and they can be posted or handed in.