THE battle over which town or city has the best kept graves was laid to rest yesterday with the announcement of the winners of the Cemetery of the Year Competition.

Four cemeteries from across the UK took the top titles in four categories.

The winners were announced at the Joint Conference of Burial and Cremation Authorities being held at the Spa Centre, South Bay, Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

The winners were Adfa Chapel Cemetery, Newtown, Powys, Wales, Bourne Cemetery, Bourne, Lincolnshire, Park Avenue Cemetery, Dinnington, Sheffield, and Carmountside Cemetery and Crematorium, Stoke-on-Trent.

The competition, now in its fifth year, is designed to alter public perception of cemeteries and crematoria and make people aware of what beautiful and tranquil places they can be.

Maintenance, facilities, burial choice and imaginative landscaping were all taken into account by the two judges.

There were 46 entries from cemeteries from all over the Britain which were competing for the top titles.

Awards judge Brenda Wilson said: ''The standard this year was fantastic and it was very difficult to judge, but all the winners were very deserving.

''We were looking for cemeteries with that little bit extra, the ones that had nice little touches, such as disabled access or somewhere to tie up dogs.

''These are the ones that have shown they really think about the service they provide.''

The winners were awarded with plaques.