A CEMETERY which has been designed to create more burial space in a village is nearing completion. Melbourn cemetery in Victoria Way, is already taking shape and should be ready by April. There will be about 300 places available. The idea materialised abo

A CEMETERY which has been designed to create more burial space in a village is nearing completion.

Melbourn cemetery in Victoria Way, is already taking shape and should be ready by April. There will be about 300 places available.

The idea materialised about five years ago.

Cllr Mike Sherwen said: "We have about 10 graves left in the old cemetery and this is what triggered the idea.

"But if winters had gone on the way they used to, we would have found a bigger problem with cemetery spaces."

The cemetery will have to comply with modern regulations.

It means that it will not be as overcrowded as other cemeteries, which were created centuries ago.

So far 25 Himalayan birch trees have been planted, footpaths have been created and access points surrounding the New Road housing development have been put in place.

Cllr Sherwen said: "The cemetery is in a beautiful spot which faces south. We have created a mound as a feature because we want a cemetery for the next 200 years."

However, before the completion of the cemetery, Melbourn Parish Council's working party have one more mission.

Cllr Sherwen said: "We hope to see the re-interment of the Anglo-Saxon remains found in the village some years ago.