THE Friends of Darwen Cemetery are looking for £10,000 to prepare for the site’s 150th anniversary in June.

Members of the group, which was set up a year ago, want to spent the money on renovating the oldest part of the cemetery, known as section B.

The section contains the unmarked grave of a baby boy who was the first person to be buried in the cemetery in 1861.

Blackburn-based stonemason Brent Stevenson has already agreed to create a gravestone free of charge in time for the anniversary celebrations.

Members want to re-erect surrounding gravestones that have fallen or been toppled, as well as create a nature and memorial garden for the local community.

In five years they want the site to be used as a heritage centre for schools.

Anyone who is willing to help with funding is asked to contact members by visiting www.darwencemetery. org.uk