OLD and worn-out Qur'ans must be treated as the literal word of God - so one cemetery is making plans to bury them with dignity.

Mays Lane Cemetery off Wokingham Road, Earley, is considering digging a locked underground tomb for the Islamic holy books. A similar grave exists at Reading's main cemetery in Henley Road, Caversham but is already full.

Earley Town Council's amenities committee heard last Wednesday from Lib Dem leader Tahir Maher that Muslims in Earley and east Reading had asked him to pass along the request, since battered old Qur'ans cannot just be thrown away.

He said: "This was a surprise to me, I didn't realise such a thing happened. But they are religious artifacts, Muslims bury them. The grave for Qur'ans at Reading cemetery took five or six years to fill up."

Councillors said the idea was fine in principle, but suggested safeguards to stop people slipping into the grave. Cllr Maher said just a few trusted people should have the key so that Qur'ans could be passed along to them to be buried at scheduled times, rather than allowing a free-for-all.

He also said more should be done to promote the cemetery's Muslim children's burial area, which has existed for years but never been used. Councillors will consider whether to make 30 graves reserved for older Muslim children and teens also suitable for adults to ensure they are used. There are another 30 smaller graves suitable only for young Muslim children, aligned to face Mecca, Islam's holiest site.

Cllr David Chopping, an expert on burial provision, said he would meet with Muslim elders and Cllr Maher to discuss the plans.

He said: "The Muslim burial provision was made at the request of the Muslim community, by a former councillor, after consultation with elders in the community."

The Qur'an burial grave is likely to cost £200-£800 if it goes ahead, but it is unclear whether this will come from town council coffers or donations. A charge could be imposed on burials to recoup costs.