Bicester Cemetery is one of three in Oxfordshire entered for this year's Cemetery of the Year awards.

The three - also including Wolvercote and Rose Hill cemeteries in Oxford - are among 44 from across the United Kingdom competing in the Confederation of Burial Authorities' contest, which aims to encourage and reward high standards among the nation's cemeteries while making the public aware of their important community role.

Competition organisers point to the fact that cemeteries provide a wealth of social, historical and ecological information as well as, in some cases, being the only green area within a borough.

Judging runs until mid-August with the winner being announced at a ceremony in Buxton, Derbyshire, on September 18.