THE number of mourners allowed to attend crematorium and burial services in the Dudley borough has increased as lockdown measures are slightly eased.

Larger services are now allowed at Gornal Wood Crematorium as 16 mourners will now be able to attend in chapel, while 15 additional mourners are allowed to stand outside to listen to service via external speakers.

Stourbridge Crematorium will still be limited to 10 mourners in the chapel due to its smaller size, but an additional 15 people will now be allowed outside.

Burials in cemeteries across the borough will now be limited to 30 mourners, with each person following the two metre social distancing rule.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said: "Due to the coronavirus crisis we are having to carefully monitor and manage the number of people who can attend our services, following government guidelines to keep everyone as safe as possible.

"We are pleased to be able to offer space for additional mourners at some of our services but we know this is still a very difficult time for those who have lost loved ones and our hearts go out to all who are affected by the ongoing restrictions.

"I would like to thank the people of Dudley for continuing to make such sacrifices to help stop the spread of this virus, together we will defeat it."

The new rules came into force on Monday, June 1 and are based on the latest government guidance