Ref. 28642-10THERE will be no multi-storey graveyards in Swindon in spite of the Government considering the idea nationwide.

With space in graveyards fast running out across Britain, especially in cities, the Home Office has launched a review of burial law.

But in Swindon there is enough space in cemeteries to bury people for another 30 years.

Home Office Minister Paul Goggins admitted one possibility might involve those buried more than 100 years ago being disinterred and then re-interred deeper underground, leaving fresh land above for new graves.

However, Swindon has enough land near the Kingsdown Cremat-orium for a new cemetery for some 11,000 deceased.

With an average of 365 people buried in Swindon each year, there is enough space to last about 30 years before the "double-decker" option has to be considered.

Bill Fisher, council's acting head of environmental management: "The Government is looking at these issues because there are a lot of local authorities, particularly inner city authorities, who have a very serious problem with space in cemeteries running out.

"But this authority has planned its future quite well in this respect, so we do not think we are going to have a look at the Government's suggestion."

As well as Kingsdown Cemetery and Kingsdown Crematorium, the council runs cemeteries at Whit-worth Road and Radnor Street, as well as maintaining some, such as the one at the Lawn, that are no longer used.

Mr Fisher said there was enough space to last for three years, but next year sees the beginning of a three-year, £750,000 project to expand Kingsdown by about 20 acres.

The Home Office insists it will not ignore the feelings of the population when it comes to deciding how to solve the problem of space.

Mr Goggins said: "We want to ensure that any change in particular with regard to the reuse of graves is acceptable.

"I hope that members of the public will take this opportunity to have their say."

Anne Viney, chief executive of the Cruse Bereavement Care charity, said: "Cruse welcomes this consultation on burial law and the open discussion on this sensitive subject.

"However difficult some issues may be, they have to be covered and faced, both because of practical problems and because, unfortunately, bereavement is something we all have to contend with at some point."

Barrie Hudson