A new memorial park and crematorium near Hitchin has had its official opening this week.

The Comet: The Bishop of St Albans Alan Smith at the opening of North Hertfordshire Memorial Park & Crematorium. Picture: Danny LooThe Bishop of St Albans Alan Smith at the opening of North Hertfordshire Memorial Park & Crematorium. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2017)

The North Hertfordshire Memorial Park and Crematorium was declared open on Tuesday with an ecumenical service led by the Bishop of St Albans, Alan Smith.

Also on hand were Baptist minister Rev Andrew Pusey, Catholic priest Fr Thomas O’Brien, civil celebrant Robby Evans and North Herts District Council chairman Alan Millard.

The Comet: North Herts Memorial Park. Picture: Alan MillardNorth Herts Memorial Park. Picture: Alan Millard (Image: Archant)

The park, off the A600 Bedford Road near Holwell, has been open since June.

Oxfordshire-based operator Memoria Ltd has invested more than £5 million into it.

The Comet: North Herts Memorial Park. Picture: Alan MillardNorth Herts Memorial Park. Picture: Alan Millard (Image: Archant)

Memoria’s Jamieson Hodgson said: “It has been an honour to support local families since the facility opened in June.

“This state-of-the-art crematorium and memorial park has filled a clear gap in service in North Herts, and we feel very privileged to have the right to look after local people in such a way.”