THE cost of cremations in Hyndburn could rise by £40 because metal fillings in the teeth of the bodies being burned.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has set councils obligations for cutting crematoria mercury emissions.

The mercury is released as it is present in dental fillings and the government says it causes air quality issues.

Hyndburn Borough Council’s Cabinet has agreed to work with and reimburse other local authorities with mercury abatement installed on their cremators.

They rejected the alternative, to fit abatement to their own cremators, which was estimated to cost the authority £530,000.

Councillor Brian Roberts said: "The Cabinet supports a burden sharing scheme in terms of fulfilling our obligations towards mercury abatement.

"Several options have been looked at and we’re now going into an agreement with other authorities where we compensate them."

He added: "They no longer use mercury in fillings so that problem will become less and less over the years."

The Cabinet report read: "It has been confirmed that these payments will not commence until 1 January 2013. It is predicted that this will add approximately £40 onto the cost of each cremation. It should be noted here that HBC costs are significantly lower than other local and national charges by between £60 and £240."

The report added that Hyndburn carries out 800 to 900 cremations a year.