Manchester’s synagogue burial boards are joining forces to oversee landscaping and staffing for seven burial grounds.

Initially operating on a one-year trial, the North Manchester Jewish Cemeteries Trust will be applying for grants and Lottery funds. But trustees are urging local Jews to recognise their “communal responsibility” by making donations.

Major improvements to the prayer houses and paths at the Rainsough and Failsworth cemeteries have required massive investment and further large-scale expenditure is required at Crumpsall and Blackley.

Trust treasurer Stephen Niman anticipated “significant economies of scale by not duplicating resources. People make contributions into burial funds blind to fact that plots of land have to be maintained forever. There will come a point when cemeteries will not be maintained at current levels.”