Newland Homes has provided Mickleton Parish Council with £20,000 in order to extend the village's cemetery.

Andrew Billings, Land Director for Newland Homes, added: "After discussions with the parish council about what would benefit the community most, they asked that we supported the cemetery extension. We're very pleased to be able to hand over the money and see the works starting in the near future."

The extension will be located behind the existing modern burial area and has been designed to enhance the biodiversity of the area with new hedgerows being planted featuring common indigenous plants including hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel and guelder roses.

The extension will extend 37 metres to the east and should provide Mickleton's residents with sufficient burial and ashes internment spaces for the next 80-100 years. The existing bridleway across the field has also been re-routed to follow the edge of the new cemetery.

The churchyard of St Lawrence in Mickleton has a number of fascinating characters central to the history of the local area, including Major Lawrence Johnston, who created nearby Hidcote garden. There is also the First World War grave of a fallen Belgian soldier, Victor De Martelaer, who, in 1914, was brought to Mickleton to be treated at the Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital at Norton Hall, Mickleton for a gunshot wound to the chest.

Chris Morecroft, Chair of Mickleton Parish Council, said: "This extension is planned to blend into the existing natural countryside and enhance the area's biodiversity. We're pleased that Newland Homes has provided us with the funds to allow us to complete the extension, which will contribute to the emotional wellbeing of Mickleton."

Newland Homes has recently constructed the Cotswold Edge housing development in Mickleton.