WOOTTON Bassett Town Council has applied for planning permission to carry out restoration work on the town's cemetery walls and gates.

The council has been forced to seek permission from North Wiltshire District Council because the walls and gates of the Downs View cemetery have listed status.

The cemetery gates are currently being sand blasted to remove several layers of paint that have built up since the cemetery was opened in 1871. These will then be repainted to its previous green colour.

The two large gates and the pinnacles that were located on the walled gate posts have been sent away for more drastic rebuilding and repair. It is hoped that the work will be completed by the end of next month.

Last month, the town council announced it would be toppling 58 gravestones after they failed the council's annual health and safety check, with councillors saying they had no choice but to lay the stones down.