RESIDENTS in Cricklade will soon have two new ways to remember their lost loved-ones.

Cricklade Town Council has come up with two sensitive proposals to give grieving families an alternative place to visit a dead relative or friend.

The plans put forward are for a dedication of benches in the town’s community garden and the launch of a Tree of Remembrance project next to the Millennium Wood at Fairview Fields.

Acting on a suggestion from a member of the public, councillors agreed that memorial plaques should be fitted at either end of the seven benches of the community garden at Saxon's Rest.

A charge of £500 has been suggested with any profit being put towards improvements of the site.

Town clerk Shelley Parker said: "This is a wonderful idea and gives people the chance to remember somebody in a really special way."

A separate project could see a tree of remembrance garden created at Fairview Fields.

A small number of trees could be planted within the Millennium Wood, on a site owned by the town council, possibly including Snowy Mespilus, Royal Red, birches and a flowering ash.

Families would pay £250 which would cover the cost of maintenance for the following five years. Families would also have the option of a further five years of maintenance for half the original cost.

Chairman of the working party driving the projects forward, Cllr Barrie Beasley, said "Both projects are fitting opportunities to dedicate memorials to local people."

For more information, call Tina Jones at the town council on 01793 751394.