A WOODLAND burial scheme in the Ribble Valley is proving to be a great success.

In just over 12 months there have been 10 burials and a further 10 plots reserved.

And the success of the scheme has brought inquiries from all over the country from individuals and requests from several other councils who want to start woodland burials.

The project was only the third in the country when it began in April last year.

Much scepticism had been expressed from some authorities who thought the idea smacked of cardboard coffins and DIY funerals.

Cemetery officer Janice Tolson said: "The traditional funeral and burial processes are still carried out. There are undertakers, coffins, church services and even the burial itself is the same.

"The only differences are that these graves are single graves and that trees are planted on the site instead of headstones being erected.

"If there are any special requests about coffins and burial procedures, we are willing to take them into account. But, on the whole, the practicalities of a woodland burial are traditional."

The woodland site in Clitheroe is part of the existing cemetery and next to an established wood.

Mrs Tolson added: "The idea is to plant trees above and around the graves, not a tree for each burial but a tree as part of an overall planting regime.

"We have to do it that way, otherwise the area would become overplanted and eventually we would have to thin trees out and remove some of them.

"The area is fenced and hedged off and families of those people buried there can sit on benches outside the burial wood when they want to visit a loved one's grave.

"We can't allow people inside because we want to preserve the tree and wild flower plantings and create a living memory for the bereaved."

Ten burials have already taken place in the Clitheroe site and a wide range of age groups have found the woodland idea comforting.

Mrs Tolson said: "Our first person to be buried there was a 103-year-old lady but we also have a young man in his early 20s, a couple in their 40s and a number of 60 and 70-year-olds.

"It seems the environmentally friendly option is becoming more popular with all ages."

The council has to keep a full record of the burials which take place in the woodland area and each grave is marked with a number on a stone.

This ties in with a detailed plan of the site and full register.

Environmental health manager James Russell said: "This whole project is proving popular and we are happy with the way it has taken off.

"We plant trees on the site at specific times of the year and more trees will be going in in late autumn."

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