Friends Launch Pet Memorial website.

THE death of a pet budgie sparked an idea that has led to worldwide web success for three former school friends.

When dad Philip MacDougall had to comfort his 12-year-old daughter over her loss, he came up with the idea for a permanent memorial – online.

Now, several years later, his son, Neil McDougall, 27, and his former classmates Barry Harris, 28, of Little Hulton and Richard Seale, 27, of Walkden are running the website www.apetcemetery.com and attracting users from across America as well as here in the UK.

Phillip, 57, of Bolton explained that the site offered users the chance to create a memorial, send an ecard or share the grief of the lost pet.

Some of the services carry a small charge, which is used to cover the costs of maintaining the site, although Phillip also hopes they will raise money for animal charities.