A CHURCHYARD in a village on the outskirts of Darlington is facing closure because of the dwindling number of spaces for graves.

St Andrew's Parochial Church Council says there are only ten spaces left in the village burial ground.

The council says that once the spaces are filled, the churchyard should close for further burials, except where space remains in existing family plots.

The council says it regrets the decision, but it should be taken because to buy a new burial ground and maintain it would cost too much.

Burials will still be possible at the town cemetery, in Carmel Road, Darlington, where plots are available.

The Reverend Robert Cooper, priest-in-charge at St Andrew's Church, said: "We are gently breaking the news to people who may obviously feel deeply about this. But we are still at the beginning of a very long process."

To close a churchyard, advice must be taken from the diocesan advisory committee for the care of churches, and permission granted by the Home Office, a process which can take several months.

If the churchyard is closed, permission will be sought for the continuing internment of cremated remains in existing family graves and in an area specially set aside.

People will still be able to have access to the churchyard to tend graves and lay flowers.

A meeting, which might be held next month in the village hall, is expected to discuss the issue