LACK of demand is killing off once popular chapels in the grounds of Bolton cemeteries.

Mourners now prefer to hold funeral services in their own churches and none of the chapels have been used for over two years.

But Bolton council still have to shell out to maintain the buildings in the grounds of cemeteries at Heaton, Tonge, Astley Bridge and Blackrod.

Now officials are looking into the future of the chapels and have asked councillors to tour the buildings. An official said: "Architecturally the buildings are very attractive but they are not very practical. They have not been used for a number of years and need constant maintenance.

"Because of where they are, it would be difficult to put them to a different use."

A Muslim group is considering using the Deane chapel for religious services and officials will investigate the problem in a bid to find a solution.

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