STAFF at Redditch Crematorium are celebrating as the facility has jumped from bronze to silver ranking in its annual assessment.

Each year an assessment is carried out by the Institute of Cemetery & Crematorium Management (ICCM) which provides policy and best practice guidance to cremation authorities.

This year the Council has been recognised as silver standard, with respect to the Charter for the Bereaved moving from bronze in the assessment in just 12 months.

The ICCM’s aim is to raise standards for the bereaved through the providing accredited education and training opportunities to staff within the service.

Cllr Debbie Chance, Redditch Borough Council's portfolio holder for bereavement services, said: "This national recognition is further proof what we already know which is that we have a team which goes the extra mile to provide an excellent service for our customers from the borough to beyond.

"I am delighted that the team’s efforts have been recognised in this way."