The Sikh community in Scotland has been given the first official spot to scatter ashes in a funeral ritual traditionally carried out on the Ganges - on the industrial coast of Port Glasgow.

The River Clyde in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, is more than 5,000 miles from the sacred river which runs through India, where it is a ritual of both Sikh and Hindu religions to scatter ashes in running water.

The distance is too far to travel for some grieving families, and attempts by the Sikh community in Scotland to find a suitable spot closer to home to scatter ashes in the sea, or waters leading to the sea, had so far proved fruitless.

But now Inverclyde Council has become the first local authority to formally acknowledge the ritual and has installed barriers as a safety measure at the site in Port Glasgow.

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The Newark slipway was identified as the only suitable location for the scattering of ashes along the west coast.

Discussions have been ongoing for some time between officials from Inverclyde Council, other local authorities and the Sikh and Indian communities to find a solution.

A spokesman for Inverclyde Council said: “We have been dealing with the Sikh and Indian community for some time with a view to identifying a suitable location for scattering ashes on the Clyde.

"Clearly this is a very sensitive issue and we have been doing our best to help.

"The group has approached every local authority looking for assistance and we are hopeful that the assistance we have provided will help with the solemn and dignified scattering of ashes.

"One of the rites of Sikh funerals is scattering the ashes of loved ones in flowing water such as a river or the sea.

"Members of the Sikh community in the west of Scotland have been trying to find a suitable and accessible location to allow this to take place in the River Clyde.

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"The only suitable location identified is the slipway at Port Glasgow.

"As a welcoming place and one that supports people of all faiths and none in saying their final farewell to loved ones, it is right that we support members of the wider Scottish Sikh community where we can.

"The handrail is there to support this and other uses."

The installation of the railings caused some annoyance among local boat owners, including members of Newark Boat Club, who were obstructed from launching their craft.

While the safety aspect was welcomed by sailing enthusiasts, the metal structure stretched all the way to the end of the ramp and was completely submerged at high tide.

Council staff have now trimmed back the railings.

A spokesman said: "The one we originally put in place had to be altered because it caused interference with boats, particularly at high tide.

"We have now fixed this.

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"This will allow the slipway at Coronation Park to serve as a way of getting onto the water for sailing opportunities the Clyde offers and to give members of the Sikh community a suitable and accessible location to celebrate the lives of family members and friends at the riverside."

Port Glasgow councillor and depute provost, David Wilson, said: "I'm very pleased that the council officers have agreed to make the area safe because the last thing we want is people tumbling into the water.

"It's a good example of the council taking action in a humanitarian way and from a safety point of view."