Debate has begun in earnest over the future of Wootton Bassett town cemetery. The current cemetery on Downs View will fill up in the next four or five years, so the town is faced with a decision.

Either the prospect of re-using graves in the existing cemetery, or spending half a million pounds on a new site, which would probably have to be out of town.

Mayor elect Susan Cooksley said: "We are opening this issue to the townspeople.

"The councillors don't feel that we are morally qualified to make this decision for people.

"I don't have relatives buried there myself, so how can I possibly impose my view on those who do?"

Ten letters have already been sent to the council offices, and there is currently a 50/50 split over those against re-using graves and those in favour.

One of the people who wrote in was Francis Ball, 70, of Longleaze, Wootton Bassett.

Mr Ball was born in Wootton Bassett, both his parents are buried in the cemetery, along with his aunt, uncle, cousins and other members of his mother's family, including a baby who died aged just three weeks.

He said: "I just don't think it is right to disturb graves.

"When people are buried they are supposed to rest in peace, not be dug up again a hundred years later.

"My dad died in 1960 and he was buried there, and then my mum died in 1990 and she was buried beside him. I have got a plot reserved for myself at the foot of their graves, but I don't like the thought of them being dug up later, splitting up the family.

"They say they will stack the old headstones around the side of the graveyard, but my dad doesn't have a headstone, he has a flat stone covering the whole grave with room for flowers, and what are they going to do with that?

"People spend a lot of money on nice burials and graves for their families because they want them to last for ever, not so they can be dug up and stacked against the wall after a few years."

If the majority of people decide that they don't want to re-use old graves, the council will have to start looking for a new piece of land.

It will have to be at least 12 hectares, which means it will almost certainly be out of the town centre, making it quite inaccessible for people without cars.

It will cost around half a million pounds to buy, drain, landscape and prepare the site.

Mrs Barbara Walker, 65, also of Longleaze, wrote to the council supporting the idea of re-using the cemetery.

She said: "I can see no reason why graves shouldn't be recycled, as long as it is done with reverence and respect.

"Obviously there will be some people buried there who no longer have any family in the area, but I think a lot of them will have relatives living in or around the town, and I think those people should be told.

"I also think there needs to be a suitable place to put the headstones that are moved, but as long as those things are done I see no problem with it.

"I think half a million pounds is a lot of money to have to spend for a new cemetary, especially as it will come off our council tax."

The council is happy to look in to any alternative suggestions from the public. Anyone interested should write to the council at 117 High Street, Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, SN4 7AU.