WORK has started on a new building as part of the refurbishment of a crematorium.

A turf-cutting ceremony was held to mark the beginning of work on the new building for the Book of Remembrance at Durham Crematorium.

It follows the completion of a new entrance and a dedicated visitor room at the crematorium in South Road, with work on a modern waiting room and expanded chapel set to start in April next year.

Construction work on the new building will begin over the next few weeks and is expected to be finished by the end of March.

It will include a visual touchscreen display unit for people to view remembrance entries electronically, while the traditional books will still be on view.

The turf-cutting was carried out by Cllr Maria Plews and Cllr Jim Graham, chair and vice-chair of the Joint Committee running the Durham Crematorium, and Graham Harrison, bereavement services manager at Durham County Council.

Cllr Plews said: “This new Book of Remembrance building will be a private and tranquil place for family and friends to reflect and pay tribute to their loved ones.”

People can still access the remembrance books in the main building during work on the new room.