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A new crematorium is set to open in Pontllanfraith in the new year.

The Sirhowy Valley Crematorium, which has been described as “state of the art” by developers Westerleigh, will be the first crematorium in the borough.

The crematorium will be located off Sirhowy Enterprise Way.

It is expected that the new crematorium, which is scheduled to open in January, will hold around 1,300 funerals a year and would serve around 150,000 people in the local community.

The crematorium will also have a place for floral tributes and a maintained memorial garden.

Live webcasts will be available with the option of visual tributes and an almost unlimited music library.

Currently, the nearest crematoriums are Cwmbran, Newport and Thornhill.

Bristol-based developers Westerleigh have 34 crematoriums across the UK, with three in Wales – including Newport’s Langstone Vale Crematorium.

Kevin Davies, Westerleigh’s regional manager for Wales, said: “This new crematorium will provide a local facility for people who, before now, may have had to travel more than ten miles to their nearest crematoria.

“We also understand and appreciate the importance of providing appropriate time and space for families; our normal service times will be offered at hourly intervals to ensure families do not feel rushed.

“We look forward to welcoming people to Sirhowy Valley Crematorium in the new year.”

Westerleigh Group says it hopes its latest crematorium will be ready to open in mid-to-late January 2021.

Additional reporting by the Local Democracy Reporting Service