Work will start immediately on developing a new cemetery in Witney.

Contracts have been exchanged for the transfer of a seven-acre site at Oxford Hill from the Mawle Family Trust to the town council.

The council's technical officer, Henry Westbury, said: "The transfer is the culmination of a busy five-year period which has involved an extensive search and lengthy planning consultation. We plan to proceed with the development of the site without delay so that the new cemetery can be bought into service as soon as possible.

"There is burial capacity at Tower Hill while the new site is developed, but this has only been achieved by the removal of some footpaths and resiting some shrub beds.

"Timing had become critical."