MORE THAN £750,000 has been spent on improving facilities for mourners at Porchester Crematorium.

The money has been spent on separate waiting rooms opposite the crematorium's two chapels which are linked by covered walkways. There are also new open-air waiting areas and new toilet facilities as well as a brand new reception.

Representatives from the Joint Boards four authorities in Fareham, Gosport, Havant and Portsmouth were invited to the official opening ceremony for the new facilities at Upper Cornaway Lane, hosted by Gosport Councillor Peter Edgar.

The work was carried out in just a year by Portsmouth based contractors, Vale Southern Ltd.

At the opening ceremony, Councillor Edgar praised the construction company for their dedication to the project, which was completed out of normal working hours in a bid to cause as little disruption to mourners as possible. He said: "The new facilities are a tribute to the in-house team, and provide a much needed waiting area for mourners at a very sensitive time.

"The new facilities have received praise from those who have seen them, particularly for the way they blend seamlessly into with existing buildings."