A WOODLAND burial ground has signed up to help the region’s wildlife.

Durham Woodland Burial Trust has become a new corporate member of Durham Wildlife Trust.

The Burial Trust, which manages a woodland burial ground within South Road cemetery in Durham City, encourages families to adopt a more environmentally-friendly approach to funerals.

Kirsty Pollard, Durham Wildlife Trust’s community education officer, visited the site in the autumn to help volunteers set up bird feeding stations and create log seating for relatives visiting their loved ones.

She said: "The site has great potential for attracting wildlife and offers a peaceful and natural sanctuary where people can spend time contemplating and remembering loved ones in woodland setting.

"We’re happy to be able to help the group establish their reserve and provide what help we can."