More Islamic burial spaces have been identified in the Wokingham Borough after warnings that capacity could soon run out.

Faith leaders, councillors and MP for Earley and Woodley Yuan Yang raised concerns that spaces available in Mays Lane cemetery in Earley and Shinfield cemetery were ‘almost used up’.

The religion requires burials to be undertaken as soon as possible after death and for the graves to be dug so they are perpendicular to the holy city of Mecca.

It is also customary for the graves to be separate from other faiths.

Wokingham Borough’s Council leader Stephen Conway said the ‘critical issue’ would be met with swift action, with options to increase capacity being considered.

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Now, additional spaces have been identified and are available for use, while plans have been put in place for more plots in other areas of the borough.

Nine burial plots have been identified in Shinfield Cemetery. The authority says plans have been put in place for two more, which could be delivered within a month.

Ten more spaces have been identified at St Sebastian's, where provision could be made available immediately.

The council is looking to take more medium and long-term action to ensure future provision of spaces.

MP for Woodley and Earley Yuan Yang, whose constituency’s Muslim residents make up about 10 per cent of the population, said it was a ‘deeply pressing and troubling issue’.

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She met with faith leaders and councillor Majid Nagra on Saturday, November 23 to discuss the issue.

During the meeting, Shakil Khan and Faisal Mushtaq from Aisha Mosque said they were concerned about having to travel out of the borough to Reading or Bracknell, where they would have to pay higher charges than in Wokingham.

According to Councillor Majid Nagra, prices at Caversham Cemetery are currently three times more expensive than those in Wokingham.

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Ms Yang wrote to Earley Town Council, which runs the Mays Lane cemetery, and Wokingham Borough Council, which manages the site at Shinfield to push for more spaces to be created.

"Dignity in death is a fundamental human need for us all, regardless of religion or place of residence," she wrote.

"I am mindful of the worry this problem adds for those residents who are already dealing with the stress of family illness or bereavement."

Councillor Basit Alvi, who raised the issue to the council leader on November 21, said he was ‘delighted’ at the ‘immediate’ response from the authority.