Chartered accountant Paul Finn wants to convert part of the grounds at his stately home into a burial ground and garden of remembrance.

Plots with brick-built vaults would be sold on long leases for people who want their loved ones to rest in peace.

And today the vicar of neighbouring St James Church, Tong, the Reverend Gordon Dey, gave his full support to the proposed scheme in the grounds of Tong Hall.

Mr Finn, who has submitted a planning application to Bradford Council to change the use of the land, says most of the proceeds would maintain the grounds and restore the Grade One listed hall.

He has decided to go into the burial business to provide permanent graves for people, despite a national land shortage.

"People are being told now that the graves may have to be dug up after about 25 years," he said.

He said the cemetery would not be open to the public, although there would be set hours for visitors.

Mr Finn said he originally rented the Queen Anne Hall, the home of the Tempest family, for many years.

The Council considered turning it into a museum, then dropped its proposals.

But in 1990 he bought the hall and entire 12-acre estate from the authority at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Mr Finn now lives in the hall's lodge but his own offices and a number of other businesses are situated in Tong Hall.

"The largest slice of the proceeds would go towards maintaining the land and the continued restoration of the hall itself," he said.

Mr Dey said the car park proposed for the scheme would also become available for the church.

He added: "Tong Hall has extensive grounds and it is a lovely place for people who would like to use it as a cemetery."