MUSLIMS are appealing to a council not to increase burial fees, which they warn will lead to hardship.

Burial is a requirement of the Muslim religion, while cremation is forbidden.

A report to Middlesbrough Borough Council says the Muslim community on Teesside has been more affected than the rest of the population by rises in the exclusive rights of burial fee, which Middlesbrough council has increased from £250 to £400 in the past two years.

The fees were increased with other charges to address a potential budget shortfall of £33,000.

Ethnic leaders are concerned about the increases and are urging councillors to protect grave plot fees from significant rises in the future.

Abdul Rasool, chairman of the Academy of Asian Art and Literature at Middlesbrough, said: "Fees are going up, yet there are a number of mosque members who cannot afford them. We are looking for help from any corner or quarter, and the council have been very sympathetic and helpful.

"They said they will see if they can do anything towards that end. We will be grateful for whatever help we can get.

"Sometimes a body comes to the mosque and there is no relative, no family. We get the funds from among ourselves, but people feel ashamed in these circumstances.

"They do not like anyone to help and that is why we have asked the council for help.

"We do not have cremations. Basically, if you have respect and value for human beings, you have to have respect for their bodies as well."