Plans to offer a new "water cremation" for the first time in the UK are on hold amid concerns about liquid remains of dead people making their way into the water system.

A council in the West Midlands has been granted planning permission to offer what it said is a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cremation.

But there are concerns flushing the waste water used as part of the "alkaline hydrolysis" process down the sewers would prompt what a source described as "the yuck factor" from the public.

Sandwell Council in Oldbury is working with British company Resomation to offer water cremation at Rowley Regis crematorium.

According to company founder Sandy Sullivan the waste water does not contain DNA from the dead person.

His website explains: "The sterile liquid effluent is safely returned to the water cycle free from any traces of DNA."

The council said it wants to offer people more choice but a water firm covering the area said it is awaiting guidance from the Government on the matter.

In March this year Severn Trent refused the council a "trade effluent" permit - which dictates which substances can go into the sewers.

A spokesman said: "We are looking for guidance from the Government as to whether it is allowed or not, and there is no industry standard that says yes or no."