TWO relatives jetted ‘across the Pond’ and embarked on an emotional trip to honour their Elvis-loving mother and sister.

Dorothy (Dottie) Hughes, of Rhyl, died in January, aged 72, after a short battle with cancer.

The “glamorous” mum of three, who had three grandchildren, was an avid fan of Elvis and dreamed of travelling to America’s Deep South, including Graceland, a mansion and estate in Memphis that was owned by the King of Rock’ n Roll.

Following Dottie’s death, Amanda Jones, Dottie’s daughter, and Dottie’s sister, Rita Fairhurst, decided to fly to the USA to embark upon a heart-warming adventure in her memory.

The pair, from Rhyl and Kinmel Bay, visited New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, and Alabama and in each place left items in memory of Dottie.

Proud Leah Jones, 23 of Rhyl, Dottie’s granddaughter and Amanda’s daughter, said: “I am so proud of my mum and auntie Rita.

“I think the whole concept of the trip is just beautiful.

“My nanna was a huge fan of Elvis. I don’t think any words can described how much she adored that man. Her house is filled with Elvis clocks, purses, handbags, magnets, all of his CDs and records and all of his movies and photographs.

“The purpose of the trip was to take pieces of Dorothy to hide all around.

“All in all, there are little pieces relating to nanna in the Mississippi River, Sun Studios, Tupelo, Graceland, Studio B, Tina Turner’s school house and even the Grand Old Oprey.”

A total of 20 photos were hidden in locations, along with some pieces of jewellery. Items were hidden in the foundations at Tupelo in Mississippi, Elvis’s birthplace; under a rug at Sun Records, where Elvis recorded, in the bushes at Graceland; in Tina Turner’s School House and even Studio B.

The women also wrote a “beautiful” note in memory of Dorothy on the wall at Graceland.

Leah added: “A flower arrangement was made with Dottie’s costume jewellery wrapped around it.

“This was placed in the flowers with two hearts attached – one with Elvis and the other with nanna inside. The flowers were laid on Elvis’ grave for a few minutes.

“​My mum and auntie cried the whole time they were at Graceland because that was the main reason for the trip.

“She longed to go but she didn’t want to fly that far.

“None of us have really recovered from losing such an important part of our lives.

“She was and still is treasured by everyone who knew her.”