A natural burial ground has opened in Edenbridge.

Eden Valley Woodland Burial Ground, located in Crouch House Road, is the second of its kind to open in the county.

The first two burials have taken place at the newly opened site, which is operated and managed by The Natural Death Centre charity.

The charity's manager, Rosie Inman-Cook, said plans for the 20-acre site have been in the pipeline for five years, and is delighted to see the vision come to life.

The grounds are managed on-site by Martin House and Amy Hurlestone, along with their baby son. The family welcome and care for any members of the public looking to bury a family member or friend on site.

The price of burial on the land, which officially opened on Wednesday, July 8, is similar to that of cremation in the area.

The space, partially covered in thousands of bluebells, will hold up to 10,000 burials. No headstones or coffins are permitted but each grave is marked by the planting of a memorial tree.

Those being buried will be placed in eco-friendly, bio-degradable coffins which will decomposed.

Organisers hope the memorial trees will develop and intertwine with the already blooming forest.

Miss Inman-Cook added: "It's just such a beautiful site. I am so excited I have been running natural burial sites for 16 years and it's just wonderful.

"It is the perfect place for families to visit and sit in a tranquil setting among the wildlife and animals. We almost try to bring something positive out of something terribly sad.

"When people do something like this it helps with the bereavement. It gives people a place to come and be with their memories and loved ones.

"We don't charge people extra for coming outside of area, and this will be the most local place for the people of west Kent as the nearest site is Brighton or Guildford."

Ceremonies can be held at the graveside or elsewhere on the site. The burial ground has no ceremonial building on site, but liases with the Kent and Surrey Golf Club and Hotel next door.

They have a licensed function room where a wake can be held.

The Natural Death Charity, which has been at the forefront of the natural burial grounds movement since the 1990s, also offers training to prospective green cemetery managers from the UK and abroad.

For more information on the burial ground click here.