A REPLICA of an ancient round barrow building used for storing burial ashes is set to be built on farmland.

Planning permission has been secured for the strange new construction near Banbury.

The Barrow, known as a Mid-England Barrow, will be created from traditional stonewalling techniques by skilled craftsmen and then be covered in soil to make it look like barrows created 5000 years ago.

It will feature three chambers with space for up to five urns each.

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Co-owner Sarah Smart said: "It’s a very exciting time.

"We knew something like this was needed, with 75 per cent of people being cremated, and graveyards becoming full, lots of ashes are left with undertakers, or, in some cases, stored in the garage, probably because there are few alternatives available.

"This way, family can visit as often as they wish, and be satisfied that their loved one is resting in a beautiful rural location.

"Imagine a peaceful place, birds singing, bees and butterflies in abundance, and wild flowers moving in the breeze.

"That’s what Mid-England Barrow will offer’.

It is anticipated that building will be completed in June, although reservations for a space in the barrow can be made ahead of completion.