THE crematorium serving the Weston area could be completely replaced under major plans being drawn up by North Somerset Council

THE crematorium serving the Weston area could be completely replaced under major plans being drawn up by North Somerset Council.Hundreds of families use the facility in Ebdon Road, Worle, every year for the final resting place for their loved ones.But the buildings, including the cremators and furnaces, could be completely replaced as council officers are seriously examining a total revamp of the site.The crematorium is currently closed after an equipment failure with no indication yet of when it might reopen.Several serious incidents have hampered the service over the past two years and at one stage families were forced to use crematoriums in Bristol and Taunton after the Worle centre was forced to close after its cremators were damaged in a blast.Replacing the crematorium is among options being studied by officers, who are considering the future of the service. They are drawing up a report for the authority's executive councillors to discuss at their meeting on July 31.The possible replacement of the crematorium was supposed to be considered in March but officers needed more time to look at building costs.The council will not reveal any more details about the proposals for the facility until the report is finished and ready for councillors to consider.An item headed 'Replacement of Weston Crematorium' has been entered into the authority's plan for what it is going to do over the next couple of months.A council spokesman said: "There has been an equipment failure meaning all cremations are taking place in Bristol, although services will still be held in Weston. All funeral directors have been contacted and we will keep them informed."At the moment we don't know how long the shutdown will last. A report on the future delivery of crematorium services is due to go to the July meeting of the executive.