A cemetery for pets will soon be able to offer mourning animal lovers the opportunity to cremate their former companions.

For several years Michael Harris has run the Companions' Rest pet cemetery on the edge of Poffley End, Hailey, near Witney.

More than 70 people a year bury their animals there.

Now West Oxfordshire District Council's lowlands planners have granted permission for an incinerator to be located in one of the buildings.

Mr Harris said: "Most people visit their pets' graves for a short period, but then only very occasionally if at all.

"We know from experience over the past few years that a number of people would choose to have their pets individually cremated rather than buried."

People can have their pet's ashes buried in the cemetery or make their own arrangements. Mr Harris said: "We have no wish to be open to the general public, only for people who have pets buried in cemetery so we do not predict any significant increase in traffic by installing an incinerator." Planning officer Kim Smith said: "The incinerator will be just for small pets like dogs, cats and parrots."

Hailey parish councillors raised no objections to the incinerator building but were concerned it might be developed commercially for vets to use for general animal disposal.

District councillors granted permission but with the condition that the incinerator is not used for general waste from local vets.

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