PENDLE is to become one of the few areas in the North West to offer families the chance to bury their loved ones on a Sunday.

For the first time the council will provide a seven-days-a-week burial service during a six-month trial period beginning on January 11.

Initially the scheme will only apply to Nelson and Colne cemeteries, the busiest of the six burial grounds in the borough. At the end of the trial council officers will gauge public demand and, if there is support for the idea, the council's area committees will be asked if they want it to apply to other outlying cemeteries.

Although some other authorities offer a Saturday morning cremation or burial service, Colin Patten, the council's cemeteries manager, said Pendle was the first he knew of to offer a full seven-day service.

"We are adapting our practices to meet the modern day way of life and by opening these cemeteries on Saturdays and Sundays we are giving people an opportunity never before available," he explained.

"It is part of the council's promise to offer a better value service to the general public."

Weekend burials will cost more because grave-diggers and other staff will be on overtime pay.

The move is part of an overall scheme to introduce more seven-day working in the council to provide a better service following changes to working patterns in other industries, particularly retail.

As well as Nelson and Colne there are cemeteries at Barrowford; Ghyll, Barnoldswick; Salterforth; and Wheatlands, Earby.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.