A council is exploring plans to liquefy bodies instead of cremating them as an eco-friendly alternative.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in the West Midlands has described water cremation as the "next phase in evolution".

But water companies have denied access to their drains due to the absence of Government guidance and a "thorough appraisal of public opinion".

The council planned to use a £300,000 "Resomator" for the water cremations at the Rowley Regis crematorium.

Liquefying the bodies would take around 180 minutes and only teeth and bones would remain once the process is completed.

The procedure would involve using alkaline hydrolysis, a process which adds together chemicals, heat and pressure to dissolve the bodies.

A Water UK source said: "We are not convinced and believe the technology needs to be explored in much greater depth.

"This is an absolute first in the UK. We have serious concerns about the public acceptability of this.

"It is the liquefied remains of the dead going into the water system. We don't think the public will like the idea."

A council spokesman said: "The funeral industry is evolving and modernising and we want to offer people more choice.

"Water cremation is the next phase in this evolution and would give people an option that is more environmentally friendly than traditional cremation.

"We are working closely with Resomation UK, Water UK and other regulatory bodies to explore all options for the introduction of this new process.

"Once approved, Rowley Regis Crematorium in Sandwell will be the first in the UK to offer a water cremation."

Severn Trent Water said: "In the absence of guidance from Government on this matter, and without an industry standard or a thorough appraisal of public opinion, Severn Trent has refused to accept a discharge from this process to our sewers."