A WOODLAND burial site has reopened more than two years after it ran into financial difficulties.

The site, which is next to the cemetery in South Road, Durham, is now run by Durham County Council and offers an alternative to a traditional burial.

It was previously run by the Woodland Burial Trust (WBT), a community interest company which went into liquidation in 2016.

Burials were suspended in May 2016 because of concerns over the accuracy of records. Since then, extensive work has been done by former WBT member Stephen Robson and council officers to enable to site to reopen.

A Friends of Durham Woodland Cemetery, which is a registered charity, has been set up to support the council in the running of the site, including helping with maintenance and offering help to people organising funerals.

Stephen Hare, from the group, said: “It’s taken a lot of work from members and council staff but we can be absolutely certain where everything is and we know it won’t happen again.

“Because of the legacy of the past we want to draw a line and look to the future.”

“It’s a wonderful place,” he added: “Anybody who has anyone buried here is welcome to sign up as a friend.”

The council will honour all previous reserved plots.

Around 70 people are buried in the natural glade, which opened in 2012.

Changes to how plots are allocated mean the site has capacity for 700 burials, around 300 more than it did, while every plot has been mapped using GPS and has a microchip so it can be identified.

Mr Robson, who spent hundreds of hours going over maps and records, said: “What we have been able to do is focus on the positivity down here and work with nature. Now, families say it’s like a living memorial.

“The friends group is really about keeping the ethos of what was already here.”

Cllr Brian Stephens said: “We know the local community is keen to see it continue to operate as a natural burial area and, following record checks, we are very pleased to announce we are once again able to offer this alternative to more traditional cemetery burial.”

Opening the site, mayor John Lethbridge said: “This is the most peaceful place. The tranquility of the site is what you would want for your loved ones. The ambience is really quite special.”

For more information email help@durhamwoodlandcemetery.org.