NO new graves are available at Stretford Cemetery, according to Trafford Council.

The council revealed the cemetery on Lime Road is almost full in a statement on Friday.

Previously, additional areas of Stretford Cemetery, which opened in 1885, were closed to reuse as graves.

But there are no more additional areas, and an expansion of the cemetery is not an option due to the surrounding houses and Mersey Valley flood basin.

Urmston Cemetery, which opened in the 1890s, is also running out of burial ground.

According to Trafford Council, unless there is an expansion into land next to the cemetery on Queen's Road, it might be full from as early as next year.

But the council is assuring there is burial ground at Dunham Lawn Cemetery for the next 15 to 20 years.

Cllr Tom Ross, the council's executive member for finance and governance, said: "It is important that we support bereaved families at this time of need.

"As a council, we do have sufficient burial land to meet the needs of all communities and faiths at Dunham Lawn Cemetery for the next 15 to 20 years.

"However, we also appreciate the needs of bereaved families to visit their loved ones locally.

"We will therefore explore the possibility of utilising burial land in an area to the rear of Urmston Cemetery, which was the site of a sports pavilion.

"If this is possible, it might allow burials in Urmston for the next five to ten years.

"The council will also undertake a review of alternative land across the north of the borough, which may identify a potential new burial ground."