A team of multi skilled cemetery workers from across Manchester got together to give Southern Cemetery in Chorlton-cum-Hardy a £40,000 facelift.

During November the Bereavement Services team carried out an extensive programme of grounds maintenance, the largest single work project in the cemetery for the last 15 years.

Large overgrown areas along Barlow Moor Road, Nell Lane and throughout the interior of the cemetery have been cleared of foliage and debris to create a safer environment for members of the public.

Trees have been pruned and their crowns raised and hedges have been lowered to improve both the look of the cemetery and to create a more open, friendly place for families to visit.

Since this work was finished, Bereavement Services have received many positive comments from the public, who have expressed their satisfaction at the improvements.

Councillor Mike Kane, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Arts and Leisure, whose responsibilities include cemeteries, visited the cemetery at the end of the project to thank the team for their hard work and commitment.

"This is the first time a team has been pulled together from across the city to do a major improvement job and it shows just what can be achieved in a short time with some investment and concentrated effort," he said.

"The new look for the cemetery makes it a much more pleasant and safe place to visit.