RESIDENTS have called for reassurances that a proposed footpath from a town cemetery to a nature reserve will not destroy the sacred site.

People from Ferryhill have agreed to back developments at Duncombe Cemetery, but only if graves can be protected and security guaranteed.

Ferryhill Town Council is spearheading the project, which would link the cemetery with Ferryhill Carrs Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

A car park, toilet block and storage units would also be installed to serve resources being developed on the site, including a heritage centre in the disused chapel and memorial and ashes gardens.

The town council must prove strong local support for the initiative to convince potential funders, Sedgefield Borough Council, to back the project with a £112,752 Local Improvement Programme grant.

At an Area Two Forum meeting this week, residents agreed to support the proposal but raised concerns about the path's potentially destructive impact on the area.

Brian Avery said: "This would be a security headache and increase the possibility of vandalism in the more secluded part of the cemetery.

"Families have spent thousands of pounds on headstones and decorations for their loved ones, I would hate to see them destroyed."

Town clerk Jamie Corrigan said he was confident that the path would not have a detrimental effect on the cemetery.

He said: "The footpath link is an important element of the scheme, it is needed to link the Carrs to a car park and toilets, which it doesn't have at present.

"Improved access will encourage more sensible minded people to use the Carrs, which will actually reduce anti-social behaviour.

"A fence, landscaping and planting will keep the path separate from the cemetery and gates can be locked if there are any problems.

"Access to the cemetery will be no different than it is now and we have no problems at present."