MORE burial land is going to be needed in Ellesmere, according to an appeal for help launched by the town's tow councils.

Ellesmere Town Council and Ellesmere Rural Parish Council have put out an urgent request to local landowners for burial land that will be needed for the people in the town and the surrounding area within the next few years.

Ellesmere town mayor, Councillor Anne Wignall, said the appeal is based on dwindling space at the Swan Hill Cemetery, close to the Mere, with concerns that there is only enough for room to cater for up to five years' time.

She said: "We are desperately seeking land because Swan Hill Cemetery in the town is filling up and we only have enough burial space left for the next three to five years.

"Ideally, we would like the land to be within walking distance of the town and to be approximately an acre in size."

According to the two councils, new burial space must meet Environment Agency regulations, such as the land should not be in areas where the groundwater is highly vulnerable; where the land is liable to flooding; or is unaltered bedrock.

However, in some cases an environmental permit will allow for mitigation measures and controls to protect the water environment.

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Cllr Graham Dyke from Ellesmere Rural Parish Council and chairman of the joint Cemetery Working Group, said: "A cemetery should not be on low-lying land that is easily water-logged and extensive tests would be carried out to determine the suitability of the site.

"We hope that a local landowner will step forward and help us find a solution to this pressing problem that we need to resolve for the peace of mind of local residents."

The joint Cemetery Working Group is made uo of councillors representing Ellesmere Town Council and Ellesmere Rural Parish Council.

The cemetery is looked after by Cemetery Coordinator, Mr David Jones. For further information, please contact David Jones, Cemetery Coordinator, on 01939 260653; david.jones@ellesmere-tc.gov.uk