GREAT Yarmouth's graves and tombs are to be spruced up with the creation of a Friends of the Cemeteries group.

Organisers are keen places of rest across the borough are fitting for remembrance, and that history is preserved. The Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust is targeting St Nicholas Cemetery, the Old Cemetery and the New Cemetery among others - approximately 30 acres in all.

Sites on the list contain monuments, tombs and statues of regional and national significance, some dating back to the 17th century.

The areas are important urban wildlife sites and Norfolk Wildlife Trust is preparing a baseline survey and management plan to support wildlife conservation at the site.

The Prince's Trust and Conservation Volunteers (Green Gym) have already undertaken some clearance around important monuments in the Old Cemetery and made exciting discoveries.

A key part of the project is to initiate a Friends of the Cemeteries group for those in the community who would like to help with clearance of overgrown monuments, surveying, recording and interpretation, wild-life enhancement, long term management and other activities.

The trust has arranged a visit to the Rosary Cemetery in Norwich on September 29 to discover what the Friends group there has achieved.

This site was the first non-denominational cemetery in the country and became Grade II listing in 2010. Although off the tourist trail, the Rosary is one of Norwich's hidden treasures.

People wanting to take part should meet at 2pm at the chapel in the Rosary, Rosary Road, Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich, NR1 4DA.

Parking is available nearby, buses stop at Rosary Corner on the Thorpe Road and it is only a short walk up from the station. A minibus can be arranged if there is enough demand.

To find out more about the Cemeteries Project, how to become a Friend of the Cemeteries or to attend this free event, call Bridget at Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust on 07818 557393 or 01493 846195 or email: bhs@great-yarmouth.gov.uk

Alternatively write to Bridget, Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust, Trafalgar House, Hall Plain, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2QG.