FAMILIES who have lost loved ones to cancer came together for a special memorial service.

Together We Remember was organised by Ardgowan Hospice to help people celebrate and reflect on the lives of loved ones who have passed away.

The uplifting event took place in the Broomhill Gardens and Hub with around 120 friends and family.

The first event of its kind, it saw choir from the hospice and Albany Theatre children's choir sing songs, while moving poems were read.

Then families and friends had a chance to plant a flower in memory of those who passed away.

The hospice's Joyce Sweeney, who organised the event with her colleague Nicola McGhee, said: "It was such an uplifting an positive experience.

"It was very moving.

"In the past we have had services in churches but the numbers had dwindled.

"We asked people who experience the hospice what they wanted and we decided to do it this way.

"People told us they wanted something that was centred around the family.

"We invited family who had lost someone in the hospice in the last year but it was open to everyone in the community."

Over the last year the hospice has supported around 200 patients at the end of their life.

Westburn Church's minister Reverend Karen Harbison read a bible passage while hospice lead nurse Carol Pyper did another reading.

She was joined by Lewis McGhee, 12, who lost his gran three years ago, to read the poem Love Lasts.

The Hospice Singers performed Can't Help Falling in Love and the sound of the Albany children's choir left not a dry eye in the house with their medley including Tomorrow from the famous musical Annie.

Joyce said: "The children's choir were brilliant and it was also a lovely moment when families were able to plant flowers."