PART of a Riding Mill churchyard is undergoing an extension.

The cremated remains area at St James’ Church, which is found between the church itself and the newly-refurbished Church Cottage, will be extended by another 30 plots.

Around three quarters of the 82 plots originally created have now been taken and more than half of those remaining have been reserved by surviving spouses.

As a result, at its July meeting, the Parochial Church Council of St James approved a proposal to extend the area, as well as lay flagged paths to replace the existing edging around the area, and provide an area for seating for visitors.

Rob Archer, of Archer Builders, who will be carrying out the work, will be completing it until the end of the month, depending on weather conditions.

Churchwarden Sandy Gardner said: “In many cases, the plots are for people whose families have moved outside the area, and we want to let them know that there will be some disruption in case they are planning to visit and place flowers.

“We will try to keep relatives up to date with the work through the village noticeboard and through Pam Pryor’s village notes in the Courant .”