Paper bags have been used to make memorial candles in the US.

Hundreds of volunteers gathered in Maryland last weekend to turn plain paper bags into illuminating memorial candles.

Some 220 people filled thousands of the bags with sand and candles for three separate illumination events to pay tribute to the dead.

Of the 38,800 packed, 24,000 paper bags will be used on December 1st, to mark the 24th annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination, while Cedar Lawn will take 4,800 and the Rest Haven Cemetery will use the remaining 10,000 on separate dates, according to the Herald Mail.

Speaking to the newspaper, Georgene Charles, founder and chairwoman of the battlefield illumination, said that she was impressed with the level of interest in the project, with volunteers coming from schools, scout troops, churches and other community groups to lend a hand.

While she said that over the 25 years the project has been running the process had been "tweaked and refined" over time, however on the whole it remains very similar to the initial event.

Rest Haven owner Charlie Brown first brought the idea to Hagerstown after hearing of a similar event in Georgia.

He was inspired by offering hope and comfort and helping people to deal with the loss of loved ones during the Christmas time.

Mr Brown chose to mark the Battle of Antietam, which is known as the single bloodiest battle in American history, with roughly 23,000 casualties.

Each of the fallen is represented by a paper bag lantern, honouring their contribution to the safety of the US people.

Since its humble beginnings, he said he had never expected the illuminations to become "this big of a deal", and is continuously surprised at the hard work put in by efficient volunteers.

"Everyone moves around like crazy, but all doing what they are supposed to do. And they get the job done. It's like a beehive of activity," Mr Brown said.

Shopping Bags Direct is a leading retailer of Gift Bags. We offer them in many colours and sizes so please contact us for further information