A MAJOR project securing the long-term future of a vital Millom facility has been hailed a success. 

The extension to Millom cemetery has been completed on time and to budget. 

Copeland Borough Council has completed its plan to provide 500 more graves for the south of the borough. 

Alarms bells range when the cemetery, which is located in St George's Road, had begun to run out of space. 

Work quickly began on the site and the new plots will be available for burial from spring next year - once the grass has had time to grow. 

The £140,000 project took just two months to complete but is set to create unrivalled benefits for the town by creating enough burial space for the people in the south of the district for approximately 30 years. 

Work to the site included putting in a new drainage system, concrete plinths, boundary fencing and grass footpaths. 

Bulbs are now being planted by the council's parks team to create a more pleasing aesthetic. 

Councillor David Banks, Copeland Borough Council's portfolio holder for customers and communities, is pleased with the outcome. 

He said: “We are delighted that this project has gone so smoothly – and happy that this facility will be available for the people of the Millom area. 

"It’s important to us that at a difficult time, when loved ones have passed on, there are the right facilities available locally.”

Parks manager, John Davies, said: “The project went very well – we worked closely with St George’s Church and we were able to make sure there was very little disruption for the congregation while the work was carried out.”