ASIAN leaders have held urgent talks with Burnley Council chiefs over fears that space for Muslim burials in the town's cemetery will run out within the next 12 months.

Community leaders are now hoping they will be allowed to create their own Muslim cemetery in the Daneshouse or Stoneyholme area.

Community leader Mozaquir Ali said exploratory talks had already been held with the council about a new burial ground or expansion of the existing cemetery to allow more space for Muslim burials.

The original site was first provided around 30 years ago when there was little demand for burials because many were repatriated after death.

There is also growing concern in the Asian community over several acts of vandalism to graves during the last few years.

Coun Ali said: "There is a Muslim area at Burnley Cemetery but it was set up in the 1970s and was never really acceptable.

"The space is now coming to an end and we are working with the council to identify a new site."

Coun Ali said the Asian community also had demand for weekend burials because Muslim teaching required burial within 24 hours of death.

Current cemetery rules require 48 hours notice and although burials can take place in shorter periods, cemetery staff are not on standby seven days a week.

This means that burials in less than 48 hours rely on the willingness and availability of staff to work at weekends, which the council says is too expensive.

Council chiefs have promised to review the weekend working situation in the light of the concerns of the Asian community as part of a wide ranging review of the bereavement service.

Parks manager Simon Goff said: ""The council will work with the Muslim community to identify additional burial sites, including the Daneshouse area."