A new group has been formed to help return Sandbach Cemetery to its former glory and ensure it flies the flag for the town.

Sandbach Partnership has initiated the setting up of the Friends of Sandbach Cemetery group which held its inaugural meeting yesterday.

A steering group has been formed and a constitution approved by members which was signed by the chair, Ann Nevitt.

Ann said: "The aim of the group is to provide a nucleus of volunteers to assist Orbitas in the job of maintaining and enhancing the cemetery.in the future.

"We aim to form an inclusive, non-political group whose common purpose is to restore the cemetery to the condition it enjoyed in the past and then keep it there.

"We intend to build on the already established excellent relationships that the Partnership, other Friends groups and other volunteers already have with Orbitas and Ansa."

Ann is already heading the "Save Sandbach Cemetery" petition to persuade Cheshire East Council to extend the cemetery.

The petition, which has gone before the House of Commons, asks that land next to the fast-filling cemetery be used as an extension.

Sandbach Cemetery has only eight years of capacity remaining, according to projections from Cheshire East Council which would see anyone wishing to be buried taken to Crewe or Macclesfield.

Ann added: "Once the cemetery petition work is complete, this will then take over and move the cemetery forward."