Entrepreneur makes a killing with paper mache coffins

Along with emails, letters and calls to the Observer offices asking for more details, Dennis has also signed a contract to make seven hundred and twenty coffins with Kent based firm 'Ecoffins'.

Talented Dennis is naturally delighted that he has obtained such a large initial order for his eco- friendly, 100% bio-degradable coffins, and that people have responded so positively to his novel idea.

He said: "I've had a few emails from people saying really nice things like 'what a good idea' my coffins were and it had been suggested to me that I speak to Ecoffins by a lady called Rosie at the Natural Death Centre. I phoned twice and then arranged a meeting with Ecoffins Senior Director, William Wayman."

It didn't take long for William to be convinced that Dennis was on to a winner.

Dennis said: "We talked and he listened to what could be produced, and the results of the meeting were that I had an order for seven hundred and twenty coffins. I am very pleased."

Dennis hopes that the sales of his coffins - which are sturdy and painted black to look just like regular wooden coffins - will help to make a big impact on helping to change the environment, as along with being bio-degradable, they take only a few minutes to burn.

He said: "Hopefully I am about to change the environment."

And changing the environment is what Ecoffins is all about, William said:

"We have been manufacturing eco-friendly coffins for nine years now and import woven bamboo products that are hand-made in china. I immediately liked the idea of a paper mach coffin, and using newspapers. Newspapers have to be disposed of in some form, and this is a perfect way of using them."

He added: "The coffins are entirely hand-made and no machinery is used which fits in perfectly with our ethos. All of our products are one hundred percent natural and we use no metal or plastic."

For more information contact Dennis via email at: [email protected] or Ecoffins at: www.ecoffins.co.uk