West Kilbride features in a wide-ranging plan to provide a long-term solution to future cemetery provision.

Across North Ayrshire, 26 of the area’s 44 cemeteries can no longer be used for new lairs.

Of the remaining 18 cemeteries, it is estimated that 10 are likely to reach their capacity within the next decade.

However, following a wide-ranging review, the council has now identified options for potentially increasing the capacity of a number of cemeteries.

In some cases, this may mean creating additional burial space by removing shrubs or trees while others may be extended by purchasing adjacent land.

At West Kilbride Cemetery, there are no immediate concerns over the capacity for burials and the review highlights the potential to extend the cemetery in the long term.

There are 75 lairs remaining and it is estimated that nine new lairs are required per year, it therefore has capacity for another eight years.

There is provision to extend the cemetery and this will be implemented to provide a further 46 plots and extend provision for a further 13 years.

Outline proposals which indicate the estimated cost of this is approximately £40,000

Whilst a number of the proposed projects already have funding allocated, the provision of funding for the proposed extension to West Kilbride cemetery will now be considered as part of the council’s forthcoming budget setting process.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, North Ayrshire Cabinet member for Place, said: “The future of our cemeteries is a delicate issue but it’s one we must address now to avoid any issues in the future.

“A number of our cemeteries no longer have new lairs available while others are reaching capacity, so we have looked at the best available options to identify the way forward.

“We have also taken into account that people expect to be near their loved ones and that’s why we are looking at extending our existing cemeteries where possible.”