WORK has started on a brand new purpose-built office at a cemetery in Caversham.

The new building at Henley Road Cemetery will house office accommodation, a waiting room, sales suite and new public toilets.

A new strong room will also be created to hold all of Reading's birth, death and marriage records since 1837 following the closure of Yeomanry House at the end of the year.

Work started on Wednesday (May 23) on the site of the old public toilet block close to the cemetery entrance, and is expected to be completed by the end of November.

Cllr Sarah Hacker, Reading’s Lead Member for Consumer Services, said: “This work represents a significant investment for the Registration and Bereavement service. The existing cemetery office is far too small and doesn’t provide an adequate service to customers or a satisfactory working environment for staff. The purpose built building will offer significantly improved customer service, including a welcoming waiting room and modern public toilets. It will provide a more appropriate environment for customers who are often recently bereaved.

“I’m pleased the work to modernise our facilities at the cemetery has started and look forward to seeing the new building the end of the year. We are working hard with the contractors to minimise disruption to the service’s daily operations and all local funeral directors and residents have been kept in the loop about the impending work.”