I AGREE with Nick Duval (Oxford Mail, December 2) that better use of burial space could be made if couples were buried in the same plot rather than side by side. Indeed, such graves can be found in many places in Britain.

However, by law, burials are not allowed below the level of the surrounding water table in order to avoid the risk of pollution to the water supply.

St Mary’s burial ground in Kidlington is close to a flood plain and the water table is too high for more than a single burial in each plot. As a result, couples have had no alternative other than to be buried side by side.

The risk to the water supply was also a significant reason that prevented Kidlington Parish Council from extending St Mary’s burial ground and obliged the council to acquire a new cemetery at Bicester Road.

CHRIS ROBINS (Cllr) Foxdown Close Kidlington