The family of a young backpacker who was killed in New Zealand has been sent items made in her memory from the other side of the world.

About 25 notes and hand-painted stones dedicated to 22-year-old Grace Millane were posted from New Zealand to her family in Wickford.

Grace went missing in Auckland while travelling the world on December 1. Her body was found a week later.

New Zealander Nikki Snell decided to send the tributes back to her family after a memorial service in Auckland.

Ms Snell said: "As Grace is from a place in the UK very near to where I am from and some of my friends in the UK know the family, I felt a connection and I needed to get the rocks and cards to them.

"I know the rocks were painted with love - the lady, Ashlyn Hogan, told me that she and her children painted the rocks, took them to the memorial at Titirangi and sung a beautiful song.

"After I visited the memorial to lay some flowers, I saw the rocks and thought they were very special. I took some photos and through a friend in the UK they reached Gillian, Grace’s mum, and her family.

"Gillian personally thanked me for sending the photos and later on the rocks and other items.

"I communicated to the family that I hoped they got some comfort from knowing that Grace has touched many many New Zealanders hearts far and wide across the country. "We are all very sorry that this happened to Grace - she should have been safe here.

"I’m just glad I could do this for the family."

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named, has been charged with Miss Millane's murder and is due to be in court later this year.