AN AUTOMATIC system to open and close the gates at Frodsham Cemetery is being considered by the town council.

Councillors found it increasingly impractical to do the job themselves and a decision was made some time ago to leave gates at the Tarvin Road burial ground permanently open.

Advised by town clerk, Ian Hope, the amenities committee now wants to automate the gates and hopes the full council will approve the recommendation at the authority’s annual budget meeting in January.

The committee suggests that surplus income from the burial ground for 2010/11 could be allocated to fund the automatic gates, expected to cost about £7,000, and also a risk assessment and the preparation of a statutory grave plan at the site, costing around £3,000.