A CHURCHYARD in the centre of Shipston which has been closed to the public for a number years is to open for a trial period.

Ed Jackson, churchwarden of St Edmund's Church, in Shipston, said the opening was taking place during National Cherishing Churchyard's Week, from June 4 to 12, to see if it could be made permanent.

"There was a bit of a problem a few years ago with young people congregating and drinking in the churchyard causing anti-social behaviour, mainly because there is no park in the town and it was a place they gathered," he said.

The church is still used for worship but there have been no burials in the churchyard since the 1870s after a municipal cemetery was created.

"The churchyard is a tranquil oasis in the middle of the town. Though the main paths are mown, much of the area is not actively managed and it is full wild flowers, insect life and birdsong in the spring and summer.

"It also contains a number of historic tombs and headstones, some of which are listed as being of historic or architectural importance," added Mr Jackson.

"It was while Shipston was preparing its Neighbourhood plan what some people suggested using the churchyard as an open space because of a lack of park area. The parochial church council agreed to open it on a trial basis to see if it would possible to re-open it permanently as an open space for the town. It would make a lovely place for people to go and sit and enjoy the wildflower meadow.

"We very much look forward to being able to share this space with the rest of the town and we hope that people will come and make use of this precious town centre resource. If the trial goes well we hope to be able to grant public access to the churchyard in the future.”

The churchyard will be open during the trial week between 9am and 5pm.