BRITAIN S first underground mortuary is being built in Haringey, to serve the whole of north London. The £2.75 million building will serve both the borough and provide a modern pathology lab for experts from further a field. A topping out ceremony last Fr

BRITAIN'S first underground mortuary is being built in Haringey, to serve the whole of north London.

The £2.75 million building will serve both the borough and provide a modern pathology lab for experts from further a field.

A topping out ceremony last Friday gave a first peek at the facilities, and marked the completion of the highest point of the building when the last brick of the lift shaft was laid.

"This wonderful facility will provide superb pathology facilities and a hospitable environment for relatives," said Safer Communities boss and councillor Nilgun Canver, who helped lay the final brick.

"There have been many challenges for the architects to address and I think everyone involved has risen to those challenges so far to provide this marvellous and innovative building.

"I really look forward to the completion later this year when north London will have a truly remarkable resource which will help police and relatives by better providing forensic and medical information related to unexpected deaths."

The unique facility, which will replace the Hornsey mortuary in Myddeleton Road, had to be built underground because it lies in the grounds of a 20th century lodge in a listed conservation area.