AN exhibition detailing the history of an unusual cemetery will go on display today.
Hillside Cemetery, in Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham, has graves carved into limestone cliffs of a former quarry.
The site, which celebrates the 150th anniversary of its consecration this year, is one of only a few burial grounds in England where people were interred in the rock face.
The controversial idea of burials in the disused quarry was put forward in 1853 by Houghton's rector, the Reverend John Grey, after the churchyard became full.
The Bishop of Exeter consecrated the ground on September 4, 1854.
The site became cut off from the village in the 1960s when the A690 was built, and fell into disrepair.
The Friends of Hillside Cemetery will hold an exhibition of photographs in Houghton Library today, from 10am to 4pm.
As part of the event, a free minibus will take visitors on a tour of the cemetery. To book a place, call 0191-553 6475.
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