HUTTON RUDBY will soon need extra land for burials, because the cemetery next to the parish church is almost full.

New sites, possibly on the outskirts of the village, are being sought by the parish council, which may have to take out a loan to buy some land.

In addition to finding new land for graves, some plots will be required for cremated remains.

The existing burial ground is in a wedge of land between All Saints' church, the River Leven and a wooded hillside. The remaining part section is low lying and some of that is said to be rather wet. Therefore, some drainage may be required.

A religious ceremony would be carried out to consecrate the remaining section. It is hoped that the Bishop of Whitby will lead an ecumenical ceremony with representatives of other Christian denominations in the village.

Speaking at its recent meeting, the parish council clerk, Mrs Ann Pyle, said: "It is desperately urgent that the council looks for new land.

"I wrote to the Bishop of Whitby to see if he could consecrate the last part of land and he would be glad to do it. I have also spoken to the Rev David Lickess, (vicar of All Saints' church) about this. Ecumenical representatives would be invited to the consecration ritual."

The chairman, Coun John Richardson, said the remaining section of land on the burial ground was very wet. In recent years, some drains had been laid nearby, but flooding could be a problem , whether from rain water or the river.

He said the parish council had one old and rather tatty plan of the existing burial ground, which showed the main sections and individual plots.

Mr 'Mac' Parker, a Hutton Rudby building surveyor, had drawn a new reinforced map for the parish, costing £105. This was cheaper than a £300 quote obtained from another draughtsman.

Coun Richardson reminded members the council was legally responsible for providing burial land.

Coun. Peter Markey said the parish council had obtained a 30-year loan from the Public Works loan board and this could be done again, if necessary, to purchase new land.

Coun Stewart Robertson asked: "What happens if land is not available?"

Coun Bob Hutchinson thought some land could be purchased, adding: "We will have to go to outlying parts of the village."

Coun Richardson agreed, saying: "This situation is happening all over the country."