
Most would find setting up home among tombstones containing corpses somewhat bleak - but there are thousands of people in the Philippines living in a huge cemetery who appear to be perfectly happy.

The unique settlement - called North Cemetery - is located in Manilla, the capital of the Philippines, and it even has its own school and transport system.

According to a Russian photographer who documented life there, its residents 'don't have a penny, but are still smiling'.

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The unique settlement - called North Cemetery - is located in Manilla, the capital of the Philippines

Photographer Anton Afanasyev, 30, from Nizhny Novgorod, specifically travelled to the south-east Asian country to document the lives of people in the makeshift town

A young mother caresses her child in the cemetery, where granite tombs dominate every space

A man stares through metal railings in the cemetery at a TV in a makeshift room that also contains a wooden table, camp bed and a fan

A man sleeps across coffins in the cemetery. It is estimated that around 6,000 people call it home

It is estimated that around 6,000 people call it home - living, eating and working among tombstones still occupied with the dead.

Photographer Anton Afanasyev, 30, from Nizhny Novgorod, specifically travelled to the south-east Asian country to document the lives of people in the makeshift town.

He said: 'Walking through the city you sometimes think that you are in some surreal place or in another world - as you can see normal life, but among the tombs.'

Anton says he had to request a special permit from the city's administration to visit the town.

Once inside, he found that life follows a similar pattern to every other town in the world.

A young boy rides his bike through the cemetery (left) while another clambers above the tomb stones onto a roof (right)

Photographer Anton Afanasyev said that he was struck by how happy all the cemetery's residents seemed

The cemetery children - seemingly without a care in the world - enjoy a game of football

Two men wash the floor in the inhabited cemetery, where people live out ordinary lives, despite their unusual environment

A resident stands in front of a crucifix in the cemetery, with everyday items such as shoes and bags stored nearby

The city is without electricity and surrounded by a high wall that divides it from two other nearby cemeteries

Many have made their homes, shops and business around the granite tombstones that dominate every space of the town.

Anton added: 'Most of the cemetery dwellers earn their living working right here - doing everything connected to burial services such as digging and coffin making.

'Everywhere you looked, everyday events were occurring - despite the setting. Someone is washing their clothes, someone is fixing a chair, another cooking food.

'They even have their own transport system called Jeepneys, which are modified American military jeeps.

'The children entertained themselves as like any others around the world - with places to play football and basketball.'

The 54-hectare space in the giant metropolis is heaving with children playing and hawkers selling goods

The cemetery even has its own transport system called Jeepneys, which are modified American military jeeps

Many have made their homes, shops and businesses around the granite tombstones that dominate every space of the town

A young boy looks at one of the thousands of tombstones in the cemetery

Two man drag a statue of Jesus through cemetery. Life there has been documented by photographer Anton Afanasyev

Photographer Anton Afanasyev visited the cemetery in 2014 and has just published his images

The cemetery isn't just home to thousands of people, but pets, too - like this small dog tied up to a metal fence

The city is without electricity and surrounded by a high wall that divides it from two other nearby cemeteries.

The 54-hectare space in the giant metropolis is heaving with children playing and hawkers selling goods.

And the informal settlement even boasts its own school.