THE number of cremations at Wigan is to be be cut from the middle of March.

The council is carrying out essential work, costing £250,000, to comply with the new Environmental Protection Act, and includes changing the two cremators and associated equipment.

While one is being replaced by a brand new computerised machine, which will be fully compliant with new legislation, the other will still be in use.

Crematorium officer Tony Bassett said: "We are unable to increase the number of cremations that can take place in a day using just one cremator because of the limits of the cremation law.

"The work will take between four and five months with a reduced service during the week for cremations. There may also be some minor disruption at weekends for visitors to the cemetery and crematorium."

A meeting has been arranged with local funeral directors to discuss the issue.

"They will need to prepare for the temporary reduction in services," said Mr Bassett.

A new crematorium is being built at Howe Bridge but is far from ready.

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