GRIEVING parents have had the burden of the charge for cemetery spaces lifted.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council has decided to not charge bereaved parents for spaces after their child has died.

This means anyone under 18 who has died will be given a space for free.

It has extended from the under 10 age restriction before this decision.

Chair of the amenities committee, Councillor Sue Hughes, said: "Whilst democracy demands that we discuss and debate decisions brought forward, there are times when it is clear that there is only one right decision which can be made.

"Parents and families will have been through so much by the time they reach us, we’d like to do as much as we can to show compassion and support them."

This move was aligned with a decision the town council made earlier on in the year to keep cemetery fees static.

Councillors were also unanimous in the decision because they wanted to support people living in the area by being able to afford to have their children near.

National statistics shows 15 babies died everyday in the UK last year before they reached 4 weeks of age.

This move will help parents of such a loss emotionally and financially.