A NEW environmentally-friendly burial scheme is being showcased at a Gwent castle.

The 6.1 hectare burial site in the grounds of Usk Castle can contain up to 2,500 graves, but will have no gravestones.

All the graves will be mapped out on a computer plan so that relatives can visit their loved ones.

Planning permission for the site was granted in July and two funerals have already taken place at the site.

Now an open day has been organised to answer queries about green burials.

Because it is an environmentally friendly site bodies buried in the meadow will not be embalmed or preserved with chemicals.

The coffins, caskets or shrouds used must be biodegradable and untreated.

Plots can be standard sized singles, doubles or bigger family plots and cost from £700.

Visitors to the open day can meet landowners Rosie and Henry Humphreys of Usk Castle, James Leedam of Native Woodlands, which will be managing the site, David Leat, chair of Gwent Wildlife Trust, and Andrew Davies, from Green Willow Funerals.

They will be able to discuss options for burial at the site. There will be examples of biodegradable willow, bamboo and cardboard coffins for visitors to see.

The open day will take place on September 17 between 11am and 5pm. For information and a map to the site, which is in the grounds of Usk Castle, visit www.nativewoodland.co.uk