A STATUE of Christ to welcome people into Burtonwood Cemetery will be erected if funding is found.

Already this year the cemetery has won the coveted Green Flag award and now volunteer gardeners who tend it hope a statue on its central roundabout will be a focal point and place of comfort.

Clr John Higham, a cemetery volunteer, said: "The hearse would stop there, so coffins could be brought out in front of Our Lord. It would also bring comfort to a lot of people who are visiting deceased loved ones."

To raise the money Clr Higham is asking people to make pledges of £25. If 200 families made this pledge enough money would be raised to fund the statue.

He said: "We're not asking for a penny off anyone at the moment, just the pledge. If we can get 200 then we'll be able to order the statue and ask people to honour the pledge."

To make a pledge contact Warrington Cemetery on 267731.