An Internet connection set up between one of the district's crematoria and a home computer in Australia meant a woman could see her grandmother's funeral as it happened.

It is thought to be the first time such a link-up has ever been established from the UK.

Mary Law died at the age of 89 at Steeton Court Nursing Home, Steeton, and was cremated after a funeral service at Oakworth Crematorium.

While her daughter Christine Wilcock, who lives in Barnoldswick and works in Skipton, and other relatives and friends attended the funeral, Mrs Law's granddaughter Sharon Wood, who lives in Adelaide, Australia, was unable to fly over for the service.

So funeral director David Gallagher contacted telecommunications company Link Telecom and the two Keighley-based firms were able to devise a means of transmitting footage of the service via the Internet to Sharon.

Funeral director David Gallagher said it was an obvious thing to do.

"It was my idea to contact the telecommunications company and seemed the obvious thing to do if a family member couldn't be there," he said.

"It will probably become more and more popular, it's just a question of sorting out the logistics and Link Telecom were able to do that."

Bryan Kirkby, a director of Link Telecom, installed a webcam at the crematorium and after connecting it to a laptop computer was able to transmit live pictures to the company's web site. These were beamed direct via a private link-up to Sharon's personal computer in her Adelaide home.

Mr Kirkby said: "The whole exercise proved in no way intrusive, yet it allowed the service to be transmitted to Mrs Law's granddaughter in Australia.

"As far as we are aware, it is the first time this has taken place in the UK and clearly demonstrates just what can be achieved using the latest technology."

Mrs Wilcock, who works for Whitakers Chocolatiers in Skipton, said: "I am sure my late mother would have given her blessing to this. It was all conducted in a very delicate and sympathetic manner and makes our loss more bearable.

"It was almost as if my daughter Sharon was there herself and that we were all together.

"I am sure other bereaved families in a similar situation could also benefit by allowing relatives and close friends worldwide who are unable to attend a funeral service to actually share their grief."

Speaking from Australia, Sharon said: "I cannot thank David Gallagher and Link Telecom enough for their determined efforts that allowed me to participate and share in my grandma's service.

"Between them, they have allowed me to be with my family at a very difficult time. This has helped me to come to terms with my loss."

Link Telecom has now agreed to set up a similar web-cam system for Mr and Mrs Wilcock so that they can see and talk to their daughter over the Internet on a regular basis.