THE second phase of a project to extend and improve Ferryhill's cemetery is ready to begin.

Duncomb Cemetery is to double in size because the graveyard is almost full.

Building materials group Lafarge, which operates nearby Thrislington Quarry, has supported the first phase of the scheme with a £10,000 gift.

Ferryhill Town Council also committed £10,000 the project.

Phase one of the work, which included buying land next to the cemetery, constructing a 180-metre fence and planting hedges, shrubs and trees, is almost complete.

The second phase will include constructing a parking area, creating a memorial garden and pathways, and planting trees. Arrangements will also be made for the ground to be consecrated.

Ferryhill Town Council has committed a further £10,000 to the second phase of the project, and more funding is being sought.

The council's executive officer, Jamie Corrigan, said: "We have applied for some money and we will start work on phase two as soon as we have got the approval."

The second part of the project will be undertaken during the next financial year.

The majority of the rest of the work will be completed in a third phase.

Mr Corrigan said: "The old part of the cemetery is almost full, so we needed to take early action because we wanted to have the new part of the cemetery fully refurbished."