A mass grave containing over 300 bodies, primarily of stillborn babies and young children, was discovered in Royton Cemetery, Greater Manchester.

The grave was uncovered by a woman searching for her twin brothers, one of whom was stillborn in 1962, highlighting a personal tragedy.

Councillors raised concerns about the number of unnamed babies in unmarked graves throughout the country, emphasizing the need for recognition.

Out of the 303 bodies found in the grave, only 147 names are currently available online, with 156 names still missing, prompting efforts to update cemetery records.

Local councillors emphasized that denying parents the right to bury their children is a profound injustice that should evoke empathy and collective action.

Sands, a charity focused on stillbirth and neonatal death, highlighted that parents were often excluded from funeral arrangements prior to the mid-1980s.

Councillors have proposed a motion to Oldham Council to acknowledge and address the injustices surrounding the burial practices, with a debate scheduled for September 11.

The situation reflects a broader issue, as similar mass graves have been found across the UK over the past two decades.

Councillor Arooj Shah stated that the situation is not newly discovered and emphasized ongoing support for affected families.

A council motion is planned to discuss making burial records more accessible and digitalized to prevent future injustices.

Councillors indicated there may be additional unmarked graves in other sections of Royton Cemetery, including areas designated for different religious burials.

Local councillors Maggie Hurley and Jade Hughes described the discovery as a 'heartbreaking revelation' and advocated for a memorial to honor those buried in the grave.