A MEMORIAL could still be put in place in a graveyard that is to be replaced by a road.

Hundreds of bodies will be moved when plots at St Peter's Cemetery, Blackburn, are dug up to make way for a £4m dual carriageway.

Last month it was revealed that council bosses had axed plans to include a memorial garden in the plans, citing cost and concerns over the location.

But now a memorials firm has offered to provide an "appropriate memorial", worth £4,000, free of charge.

Council bosses say they will consider the offer provided the wording is suitable.

Brent Stevenson, owner of Preston Old Road-based Brent Stevenson Memorials Ltd, said he was offering a stone-based structure, rather than a garden.

He said: "It's not a great situation if the council can't afford to pay for it, so I would be happy to donate it free of charge. All the council has to do is tell us where it wants it.

"It could go on the edge or in the middle of the road."

The road will connect the £10m Freckleton Street bridge with the junction of Montague Street and King Street.

Adam Scott, strategic director for regeneration and environment, said: "The details are not yet finalised, but as part of the scheme there will be some landscaped open space area, where it will be appropriate to recognise the history of the site."