NEW life will be created from old if plans for an artificial reef sanctuary near Weymouth get the go-ahead.

Reef balls would be filled with cremated remains to create a unique memorial, designed in a way so that sea life can attach itself and grow in and around them.

The ashes of a passed away loved one would be mixed in with the concrete when the reef balls are made so that their ashes could be built in the reef walls.

The reef would enhance the marine environment by attracting lobsters, fish and other marine life – effectively creating new life from old.

The project leaders hope the scheme would appeal to the relations of divers, the harbourside community, people from the navy or simply anyone with an interest in the sea.

If given the go-ahead, there would be a ceremony where divers would place a plaque with the name of the bereaved underwater.

Project co-ordinator Neville Copperthwaite said: “This would not only be a great way to fund the reef but at the same time it would act as unique memorial to a loved one.

“A lot of people spread their ashes in the sea but using this method there would be an added bonus that their cemented remains would help to bring new life.”

Kathy Webb from Weymouth Crematorium has been helping Mr Copperthwaite with the idea.

Derek Sargent, retired Weymouth lifeboat honouree secretary, said he thought it was a good idea.

“I have been involved with the lifeboat and scattered many ashes in the water so I think this could appeal to some people,” he said.

“It would be a nice resting place for the deceased and the families could remember where they put their loved ones.”

The initial plan by the Wreck to Reef (W2R) group to sink a ship to boost the ailing diving industry has developed into a project to create a number of artificial reefs in a 1km-square site south of Ringstead.

This would provide a major boost to the local economy.

Under revised plans, two former Royal Navy warships would be sunk for the purposes of diving and angling.

In addition, artificial reefs would be created in association with the Southern Sea Fisheries Committee for lobster restocking to support the commercial fishing industry, and space would be set aside for another reef to support marine life.

The first phase of the project to scupper a warship could happen this year but at the moment everything rests with Dorset County Council.

To satisfy the Crown Estate a statutory authority must become leaseholder of the site on the seabed.

Mr Copperthwaite said the group was encountering bureaucratic hurdles at every turn but he is confident they can be cleared.

People and organisations are getting on board all the time to offer financial support and advice.

Mr Copperthwaite said: “Dorset County Council has asked a number of legal questions before agreeing to become leaseholder.

“It’s all to do with liability. The council wants to know where it stands and hopefully answers will be available by the February Cabinet meeting.”

Sean Webb, of Portland-based drysuit manufacturer O’Three, is among the local businessmen who have supported the project financially.

He said it was thanks to Mr Copperthwaite’s involvement as an independent co-ordinator that the project has got this far.

A wreck to reef proposal has been pursued in the past but those involved have had businesses to run.

Mr Webb said: “The initial plan to sink one ship to help the diving industry has changed because it’s difficult to get permissions to sink something. We thought why spend all this time and energy on one thing, why not expand it to include other reefs?

“They have been doing it off the South Carolina coast since 1973.”