METAL joints that do not melt when bodies are cremated are to be removed from people's ashes and recycled.

From Monday, implants and artificial joints, such as hip replacements, will be collected at Astwood Crematorium, Worcester, and melted down elsewhere because they do not disintegrate at normal cremation temperatures.

Relatives will be asked whether they agree to what the council is calling "sensitive recycling" - reusing them for implants for living patients.

At the moment the metal is buried in the ground.

"Anything that's metallic is picked up by a big magnet," said Phil Burton, Worcester City Council's assistant parks and cemeteries manager.

"If families request that implants are not recycled we will return the metal to them."

The initiative is due to start next week after the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management recommended British crematoria take the lead from several European countries where recycling of metal implants already takes place.

"With more than 2,000 cremations a year at Astwood Crematorium, the increasing amount of metal being buried in the ground after the process is having an impact on ecology," said Mr Burton.

Worcester City Council has discussed the procedure with clergy and bereavement counsellors and say money raised from recycling will be donated to charity.

"I'm hoping there won't be too much of a hue and cry but if people want to discuss it with us, we're always willing to have a chat," said Mr Burton.

Annie Hamilton, aged 25, of Droitwich Road, Worcester, whose grandfather was cremated recently, said she thought recycling was a good idea.

"If this metal is taken out of the ashes anyway, it's better for the environment that it's not put in the ground but

reused for someone else.

"Some people might feel a bit uncomfortable about it but with more and more people having things like hip replacements and pacemakers fitted, I don't see what there is to worry about."

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