This Christmas eve bells will be ringing out across the world in memory of children who have died.

Joseph Yeandle was three when he died from cancer on 27 December 2021 after being diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma.

Last year, the family’s community in Brynamman, Carmarthenshire, came out in force to ring bells for Joseph.

This year people will be ringing bells across the UK and as far as the Netherlands, Texas and Australia for “all children in heaven”, said Joseph’s aunt Emma Rees.

Joseph’s family set up a charity called Joseph’s Smile to support other children with cancer after his death.

Ms Rees told BBC Wales Breakfast on Monday the idea came from “something incredible” which happened on Christmas Eve the year after his death.

There was a plan to ring a bell on a train which Joseph loved, but this stopped working.

However, the community in Brynamman came out with “hundreds” of bells at midday.

“They rang them for Joseph,” she said. “Kate (Joseph’s mum) and I turned to each other and said this has to happen every year and this has to happen for every child in heaven.”

Ms Rees said hearing the bells is “something else” and “brings so much hope and comfort” to grieving families.

“It’s important we keep saying their names,” she said. “A parent’s greatest fear after losing their child is that they’re forgotten.”

Her message to other grieving families was: “You’re not alone, it’s a really difficult time.

“If you need to shut the door on Christmas that’s OK, but equally it’s OK to enjoy and miss them at the same time. Laugh when you can, cry when you need to.

“Grief is the price we pay for love.”