A NEW cemetery could be built on farmland north of Southend as burial space runs out.

Southend Council is in talks to buy 23 acres of fields north of Bournes Green Chase, Southend, for a new cemetery, as Sutton Road Cemetery will be full within a decade.

People have been interred at Sutton Road for 115 years.

Southend Council has been seeking an appropriate location for a new cemetery for nearly five years and cash was set aside in its budget for the project A council spokesman said: “The council is mindful of the fact cemetery space at the Sutton Road site will be fully used within the next decade.

“Given this, the council is actively seeking to acquire an additional site to use as a cemetery and is exploring options with local land owners to find an acceptable location.

“It is expected details of the proposal will be made available to the public shortly.”

The council has refused to reveal the exact location of the site or how much burial space it would provide, as it may affect the outcome of negotiations with the landowner.