A BID for lottery cash could be made to improve burial and cremation facilities in Huddersfield.

Kirklees Council chiefs are set to give the go-ahead to a £200,000 study to end years of concerns about funeral services.

And that could lead to a bid being put in for millions of pounds to do the necessary work.

Ideas could include:

* Revamped or new crematoria in Huddersfield and Dewsbury

* Investigating options for the dilapidated "listed" chapel buildings in Dewsbury, Heckmondwike and Edgerton cemeteries.

* Looking at meeting the need for extra burial space in Almondbury and Batley cemeteries.

The investment is being proposed to improve cemeteries and crematoria services in Kirklees.

It would include major feasibility studies into replacing - or major refurbishment of - Dewsbury and Huddersfield crematoria.

Some immediate repair and maintenance works will be carried out at both crematoria under the plans to be put to the council Cabinet's regeneration committee on Wednesday, April 20.

Councillors will also discuss a plan to demolish the disused chapel at Cleckheaton New Cemetery, to create space for a badly-needed parking area.

The meeting will also be recommended to set on specialist consultants to prepare a bid for cash from the Heritage Lottery.

Details of the money involved are not available, but the cash is likely to be millions of pounds.

Clr John Smithson, the council's Cabinet member responsible for bereavement services, said: "There are three very specific aspects to what we are looking at in this programme.

"One centres on immediate works at the two crematoria and at the cemetery in Cleckheaton.

"The second is on the needs for crematoria services in Huddersfield and Dewsbury.

"The final one is on work that needs looking at in cemeteries across the district.

"Most have dilapidated and unused buildings, but some of these are listed as being of architectural or historic interest.

"We propose to take an overall look at what needs to be done immediately to maintain and improve services.

"We also need the feasibility studies into options for replacing or refurbishing the two crematoria and what can be done with some of our cemeteries and historic buildings on those sites.

"These are important services, both at the time of families suffering bereavement and also the follow-up to that period, when they want to visit our crematoria and cemeteries to pay their respects."

The move follows complaints from local funeral directors over the state of local cemeteries.