WELL at least we are not going to run out of places to be buried, for the foreseeable future.

The extension to Winchester’s main cemetery has been officially opened. Magdalen Hill Cemetery at Morn Hill offers an additional 5,600 burial spaces.

It includes additional space for the Church of England, Catholic and Free Church areas and new areas for Muslim and Ghurkha faiths and a plot for travellers.

Cllr Jan Warwick, portfolio holder for environment, said: “This addition to Magdalen Hill Cemetery will provide burial spaces for a broad range of people within our diverse district community - something which will continue to benefit bereaved local residents for years to come.”

The area was opened by the Mayor Cllr Frank Pearson and features memorial trees and benches as well as meadowland created by the Butterfly Conservation.

Miff Kayum, secretary of the Winchester Muslim Cultural Association, said: “The association welcomes the dedicated provision for Muslim burials. It is a really good example of what our local authority can achieve by listening and working with minority communities.”

Lihendra Thapa, representative from the Gurkhas/Nepalese community in Winchester, said: “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Winchester City Council for its commitment to our community in making this extension happen.”