BOLTON council's weekend burial service has been extended to meet the needs of the town's Muslim community.

Islam requires that a funeral takes place as soon as possible after a death but until recently weekend burials could only be carried out during a short period mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

But because the time window was so small, only around six weekend burials a year were being carried out.

Eight members of the Muslim community have completed training to act as deputy registrars to carry out some of the adminstration associated with burials.

It means burials can be held on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Councillors agreed to the changes more than a year ago but legal formalities meant they could not come into force until recently.

Discussions are currently being held about extending the Muslim section at Heaton Cemetery because fewer bodies are being sent back to the Indian sub-continent for burial. (John Byrne said)