A mother who suffered the agony of losing her first child is holding a special 18th birthday memorial service in his honour.

Christopher Yeadon died of cot death when he was just 12 months old at the family home in Owlet Grange, Shipley.

Now his parents, Raz May and Chris Yeadon, who lived together but separated a couple of months after his death, have reunited to celebrate what would have been his 18th birthday.

The couple are inviting family and friends who were at his funeral to attend a thanksgiving service at Nab Wood Crematorium on Wednesday.

Mrs May, 36, who now lives in Plymouth with her husband and three children, is returning to Shipley for the service.

She said: "It's a celebration of Christopher's life. We had a wonderful 12 months with him and we think it is really important that people don't forget him.

"All three of my children know about Christopher and a day never goes by that he is not mentioned."

The Reverend Geoff Percival of Christ Church, Windhill, was the vicar at the funeral and will also lead the memorial service.

He said: "The family don't want to forget about what happened but remember him with a thanksgiving.

"And these services are often held at what would have been a significant time in the person's life.

"It also helps that I took the funeral of Christopher and whatever helps the family is what is important in these kind of situations."

Christopher's father, Chris Yeadon, 41, lives in Baildon with his three children aged ten to 14. He said: "When you are 18 you are supposed to have a big party and we wanted to keep his memory alive.

"It is what we would have done for him if he had still been alive. We hope that everybody who was at the funeral and who knew us will come along."

The service will take place at the Nab Wood Crematorium, Bingley Road, Shipley, on Wednesday at 1pm.