THE region's first cemetery allowing people to buried next to their pets looks likely to become a reality.

Ebchester farmer Alan Willey was given permission by Derwentside District Council yesterday to convert a meadow into a cemetery near Consett, in County Durham.

The ecological graveyard at Seven Penny Meadow, Longclose Bank, Medomsley, would include a number of environmentally friendly features.

Coffins would be made of biodegradable materials such as cardboard and would be lowered just three feet into the ground. That would help the whole package to decompose quicker.

Stone headstones would not be allowed. Instead individual trees would mark burial spots.