A massive petition to save Sandbach cemetery has gone before the House of Commons in the hope that Cheshire East Council can be persuaded to look at future plans and ways of continuing burials.

Congleton MP Fiona Bruce, who was presented with the 4,405 name petition, received the petition from campaigners outside Sandbach library on Saturday.

She presented the "Save Sandbach Cemetery" petition to the House of Commons last night to bring the issue before MPs and gather support to stop town residents being buried elsewhere.

The petition 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.

A story highlighting the issue in Sandbach Nub News earlier this year prompted local resident Ann Nevitt to launch the petition.

Ann said: "We are so grateful for Fiona's efforts and hard work that she and her team have put in to get it to this stage.

"There is still a long way to go and we still have to convince Cheshire East Council that the residents of this town need their own cemetery but we have the full support of Sandbach Town Council and with over 4,400 signatures, we have the support of our town."