LEADERS of Burnley's Muslim community are demanding urgent talks with Burnley Council over fears of a lack of space for burials in the town's cemetery.

All six of the town's mosques have put forward representatives following a meeting to discuss the concerns.

Muslim leaders are expressing their concern after two families say they suffered disruption to plans to bury relatives because of the lack of space. One family says it was forced to travel to Rossendale for the burial.

The newly-formed committee will also ask the council to consider sites for a Muslim cemetery in Daneshouse or Stoneyholme, near the heart of the Asian community.

The original site for Muslim burials in the town's cemetery was provided around 30 years ago when there was little demand because many Muslims were repatriated after death.

Now Coun Mozaquir Ali, who represents the Daneshouse with Stoneyholme ward on Burnley Council, said the issue needs urgent attention.

He said: "This is a matter of serious concern to the Muslim community in Burnley, so much so that all the six mosques have formed a committee which will negotiate with Burnley Council to try and find a site where a cemetery could be created.

"Two families had their burial plans disrupted recently because of the lack of space at the current site and if the situation is not resolved other families will have to go through the same heartache. It is not acceptable.

"The council has got a legal duty to provide burial space, quite apart from its ethical and moral obligations."

A Burnley Council spokesman said: "The issue of burial space was identified in the council's recent best value review of bereavement services. As part of the improvement plan the council is reviewing burial space alongside its multi-faith burial policy and this will involve considering the availability of burial space for all religions.

"The council will be consulting with all religious leaders within the borough."