BODIES could be exhumed and re-buried to create "double decker" graves in a bid to solve Bournemouth's lack of cemetery space.

The government recently announced plans for digging up bodies that had been buried for at least 75 years and then re-burying them deeper to make better use of space.

The current cemeteries in Bournemouth will run out of space within the next 20 to 30 years and in Poole the situation is even more serious with space in cemeteries likely to be full in the next five to 10 years.

But the two councils have a joint interest in some land in Magna Road, Bournemouth, where they have plans to build a new cemetery.

Julie Dunk, bereavement services manager for Bournemouth Borough Council, said: "We welcome the government's announcement that they will allow reuse of graves using a lift and deepen' method, ie the original burial is exhumed, the remains placed into a smaller container then reburied at a deeper depth within the grave.

"The remaining space can then be used for further burials, thereby ensuring the cemetery remains active, that burial provision is retained locally, and an income stream remains in place so that the cemetery can be maintained to a high level. Under the government's proposals, only graves in which the last burial took place 100 years ago would be considered for reuse, and any remaining family would have the option of retaining their interest in the grave so that it couldn't be reused."

Poole council is less likely to adopt the government's plans.

Don Collier portfolio holder for leisure for the Borough of Poole said: "We have been made aware of the double deck' graves proposal but this is not being considered at the present time and is not Borough of Poole's preferred option. Space in Poole's existing cemeteries is limited and we are constantly reviewing how we can use this space more effectively and efficiently."