'I'm spending the first Christmas without my son at his cafe'

Jacob Holman was a typical teenager who loved playing on his Xbox and spending time with friends.

The 17-year-old's mother, Martell Blackford, says he became the "man of the house" when his dad died three years ago. Recently, he had started his first job and was thinking about training as a chef.

Despite being the youngest of four children, his mum remembers him as fiercely protective of his three sisters, even though he loved winding them up and scaring them.

"We wish for that every day now," she said. "They keep waiting on him to jump out on them."

Tragedy struck in March when Jacob, from Tettenhall in Wolverhampton, was one of three teenagers killed in a car crash.

It happened on Offoxey Road near Tong in Shropshire, with a coroner concluding the trio died due to the "naïve actions of a young, inexperienced, newly-qualified driver".

Just six months later, Ms Blackford has opened a cafe in Jacob's memory. Nestled away in a corner of Tettenhall, it's called Jacob's Table and hopes to keep his legacy alive.

"When the opportunity came up to take on this place I had to because I felt like Jacob was guiding me to do it," Ms Blackford said.

She has worked in the building for 10 years, managing it for two previous owners.

She says it's the busiest she's ever seen it as the community has rallied around her.

This Christmas will be the family's first without Jacob.

She plans to spend the day at the cafe with a "gang of 20" friends and family, including some of her son's friends.

Ms Blackford said there would be an empty seat at the table but she wanted the day to be as busy as possible.

"I don't want to be able to sit still on Christmas Day," she said. "I need to be busy. If I think, it's not good.

"But that's like anybody that has lost somebody. The more you think the harder it is."

Ms Blackford says she plans to "keep busy" during the festive season.

"I've got three amazing daughters and we've been blessed with a little grandson and phenomenal friends around me that are like family," she explained.

"There will be a massive void but we will keep busy and we will just bring as much love together as we can."

Above all, Ms Blackford said she is determined to keep going.

Not least for the people who come through the cafe's doors seeking comfort after losing children themselves.

"I feel a bit selfish because I feel like I'm doing it to keep myself busy and to survive," she said.

"But I do also want to give something back to others.

"There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Each day is going to be difficult. It's just getting through each day and trying to be positive."

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.