OXFORDSHIRE’S third crematorium was blessed by the Archdeacon of Dorchester.

The Ven Judy French was assisted by Rev Ann Thompson and Rev Headley Feast in the service at South Oxfordshire Crematorium and Memorial Park, which took place on Friday, June 19.

An opening ceremony inside the chapel was followed by the consecration of the grounds and the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the occasion.

Business development director Jamieson Hodgson said: “We are delighted to have officially opened South Oxfordshire Memorial Park and Crematorium.

“A funeral service may be a religious commitment to whichever faith, it may not be. Either way, for bereaved families and friends it is a very sad and deeply personal experience.

“It is important to us and our staff that on the day they feel they have the chapel to themselves and are not part of some tragic conveyor belt.

“To this end, we are one of the only crematoria in the country to run one hour gaps between services."

“Since opening in January we have conducted more than 300 services and have become a valuable part of the local community."

The park, off the A338 Oxford to Wantage road by East Hanney, opened to services in December and is expected to carry out 1,200 cremations a year.

The county’s other crematoria are near Oxford, and Banbury.