PLANS for a cemetery providing "green" burials under trees instead of headstones are a step closer to fruition.

Seaham town councillors have agreed to hire a consortium of consultants to design a new graveyard for the east Durham community.

Parks manager Mike Preston said 29 acres of land had been earmarked, with construction starting in April 2002 and the facility opening two years later.

He said: "We have had a number of requests, following national initiatives and trends, to provide a green burial area on part of the site.

"We are looking at having the Great North Forest extended to the edge of the site, where, instead of a headstone, people will be able to have a tree planted on top of them.

"They will also be able to be buried in environmentally-friendly material such as recyclable cardboard, a shroud or wicker basket.

"As well, family members may be encouraged to lower the coffin into the grave and fill it up themselves."