Burial and cremation services could be overwhelmed within weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak, academics have warned.

Research published by the University of Huddersfield found a number of flaws in the continuity plans drawn up by local authorities in the event of a pandemic.

It warned burial and cremation services could be beyond capacity four or five weeks into the outbreak.

It also warned limited cemetery and body storage space will be a major problem and may lead to the need for mass graves.

The research was originally carried out last year, examining the potential impact of a flu pandemic, but has been updated to reflect the current health crisis.