A County Down man has found a way of keeping down the growing costs of funerals - by making his own coffin.

Michael O'Shea, 73, said he did not want to burden his sons with the costs of burial when he dies. Funerals can cost many thousands of pounds. Michael, from the coastal town of Ardglass, has been planning his very "frugal funeral" for some time.

Mr O'Shea said he hoped it would be a few years yet before he goes into the family plot. However, when his time comes, he wants to keep the cost of his funeral down.

'Two sheets of plywood'

"My sons have no money. I am not going to die and leave them with debts they cannot afford - so I have made my own coffin," he said.

The coffin was built across the street from his home in his garden shed. "I designed it myself. I drew up the plans and went in and bought two sheets of plywood - 8ft by 4ft. "I cut it, glued and screwed it together. The total cost was £75.

"I fitted a half-inch nylon rope to allow six men to lift 50 kilos-plus. My main problem was bending the sides... It was a very difficult job."

Mr O'Shea said people may think the whole enterprise is "ghoulish". "But to me, it is only common sense. I am 73, I am going to die fairly shortly - maybe in another dozen years or more - but it is a simple matter of economic and personal necessity."

Story from BBC NEWS