Natural burial area created at Redstone Cemetery

A natural burial area has been created at Redstone Cemetery

A natural burial area has been created at a Surrey cemetery for people who want an environmentally-friendly resting place.

Reigate and Banstead Council said one of the lawn sections at Redstone Cemetery in Redhill had been converted.

In that area, people will not have graves with traditional headstones but will instead have an oak plaque.

The council said if the scheme proved popular, it could possibly develop further areas.

Grass in the natural burial area will not be mown during the summer, but will be cut at the end of the growing season after flowers have seeded.

Trees have been planted to offer year-round interest, along with wildflowers to attract wildlife.

The council said each grave could take several burials, but it would not be possible to buy plots in advance, because the graves would be used in sequence to align the plots.