Durham Crematorium gets £2.6m improvements

More than £2.6m is to be spent on upgrading a 50-year-old Durham Crematorium.

Durham County Council has also given the go-ahead for a new car park and improved road access at the site and work is due to begin next month.

The crematorium, which holds 2,000 services a year, will be open as usual while the work is carried out.

New machines will be installed in 2012 which will recycle energy to help heat the building.

A county council spokesman said: "The crematorium provides a focal point for people to say goodbye to loved ones and also to remember them.

"As much work as possible will take place outside of normal crematorium opening hours to prevent disruption to mourners and corteges."