THE lettering on three ancient gravestones which are a focus for Thomas Hardy afficionados has been restored.

The so-called Ledger tombstones at St Michael's Church in Stinsford mark the site where the wives and family members of the author are buried.

It is also rumoured to be the resting place of the author's heart after the rest of his cremated remains were buried in London.

Now the lettering on the graves has been professionally restored and the church council is looking for help to pay for the work.

Church warden Bill Jesty, of Waddock Cross, said: "Before we had the restoration work done people would have had a very hard time reading the lettering on the graves.

"It was the decision of the parochial church council to restore the lettering because the graves themselves were actually in a fairly good condition.

"Normally families look after their tombstones but in this case it is down to the church because there's no family left really, no male issue to continue the line.

"People come from all over the world to visit the tombs and that's why we care for these particular graves so much."

The graves are the resting places of Thomas Hardy's parents, Thomas and Jemima Hardy, and also of his first wife Emma.

His sisters, Mary and Kate, are also buried in the church grounds.

The middle gravestone is said to contain Thomas Hardy's heart, after his second wife, Florence, allowed his ashes to be scattered at Poets' Corner in London but insisted that the heart stayed in Dorset. Florence also rests in the church grounds.

A husband and wife team from Somerset, conservation stoneworkers Sue and Lawrence Kelland, completed the work at a cost of £500, which was paid from church funds.

Mr Jesty added that any donations towards the restoration costs would be appreciated.

He said: "If people do wish to make a contribution to the costs then they would be gratefully received." Anyone who would like to make a donation should speak to Rev Janet Smith at the church or get in touch with Mr Jesty at his home address of 4 Sylvaspring, Waddock Cross, Dorchester, DT2 8QY.