A PROPOSED facelift for one of the North-East's oldest working cemeteries came a step closer yesterday.

Middlesbrough Council's bid for refurbishments to Linthorpe Cemetery took another step towards success with the details of a revised funding application.

An original bid of £1.1m was submitted to the Heritage Lottery board in February last year, but after site visits by assessors, the plans have changed to place a greater emphasis on conservation.

Under the new proposals, the cemetery is soon to be declared a Local Nature Reserve.

Plans for the cemetery, which is used by Teessiders for recreation, include a paved performance area in the centre, complete with seats and sculptures, and a new education resource centre.

The mortuary chapel will be given a small exhibition centre and museum.

And the Hebrew Prayer house will be repaired for educational and community use.

The revised bid also includes restoring pathways and landscaping.

Councillor Ron Lowes, Middlesbrough Council's executive with responsibility for the environment, said: "Linthorpe Cemetery is one of the largest areas of woodland in urban Middlesbrough and is highly valued by the local community.

"Two years ago we started a restoration programme in consultation with the local community.

"Cemetery standards have since improved and the Heritage Lottery bid will allow us to carry out more improvements over the next three years."

Other ideas include appointing a dedicated cemetery workforce, monument, headstone and boundary repairs, and a contemporary memorial to thousands of babies in unmarked graves.

Coun Lowes added: "The proposals are based on community involvement and it is becoming apparent the cemetery is attracting more visitors for leisure and recreational uses.

"I would like to thank the local community for their help and valuable assistance so far."

The first burial in the current cemetery dates back to 1869, although the 52 acres incorporates an earlier Quaker burial ground which dates from 1668.

In the past two years two gardeners have been allocated full-time to the cemetery and a woodland burial area was opened