PLANS to extend an Irvine cemetery to make way for 420 new graves have been approved.

NAC submitted the plans for Knadgerhill Cemetery last year with space for new lairs running low.

They will now extend the cemetery onto a 3,290 square metre wasteland site beside the burial ground including space for ashes and with the formation of access roads and landscaping.

Work is expected to be complete by summer this year. The scheme will cost around £620,000 and the extended area will be on adjacent common good land.

Ten out of the 18 cemeteries, which currently have new lairs available, are due to reach capacity within the next decade.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesman said: “We regularly monitor the capacity of our cemeteries to ensure ongoing availability of burial space. This approach allows us to consider options for any additional capacity at an early stage.

“We have therefore made a decision to extend Knadgerhill through the provision of an additional 420 lairs. “This work will be subject to planning permission being granted, and is scheduled for completion in summer 2020.”