A NEW crematorium and memorial park offering internet viewing, for mourners unable to attend, is on schedule for an October opening its backers have confirmed.

Local clergy and funeral directors recently attended a guided tour of the site, followed by a presentation of the services and facilities offered when it opens near Wenvoe Castle, Barry, this autumn.

The chapel will seat 76 people with the option of expanding to 96 with up to 200 people standing and sitting inside.

More than 400 people can potentially be served on the site by piping the service outside and webcam facilities for internet viewing will be available for those unable to attend a service.

The Vale of Glamorgan Memorial Park and Crematorium is owned and operated by Memoria Ltd.

Memoria chairman, Howard Hodgson a fourth generation funeral director who trained with James Summers of Cardiff, said they were extremely pleased with the progress.

He said: "We have been very careful to ensure that the appearance of the site fits in with the surroundings of the Vale.

"We have also employed the latest technology so that the facilities offered provide real assistance to families at a difficult time.

"We know that we cannot ever take away the pain of bereavement but it is always our duty, by combining modern systems with excellent standards of service, to support the families who need our services.

"We feel that the new crematorium and memorial park will provide a valuable service to the community and also provide choice for people when looking to honour and remember their loved ones."

Four new permanent jobs have so far been created at the site.