BRADFORD’S Muslim burial facilities will be expanded as part of a major shake up of the district’s bereavement service.

Although there is enough cemetery space in the district to cover burials for the next 30 years, there is only three years’ of burial space available at the dedicated Muslim burial ground at Scholemoor Cemetery.

At a meeting of Bradford Council’s Executive yesterday, members agreed to update the existing lease with the Council of Mosques, and seek to expand the cemetery to provide an extra seven years of burial space.

Members heard that the authority was looking at identifying land that would allow the cemetery to expand, and an area of neighbouring former allotment land could be used for this.

They voted that officers begin negotiations for the expansion.

The £17 million shake up of bereavement services will also include the creation of two new crematoria in the district, and the refurbishment of Oakworth Crematorium.