Woman went to visit nan's grave but was heartbroken by what she found

A woman was "completely heartbroken" after visiting her nan's grave which she said was in a "disgraceful" condition.

Janet Doran regularly visits Bootle Cemetery to pay her respects and maintain the gravestones of her family members including the resting places of her grandmother, her uncle and her auntie. Sadly, on her last visit, Janet was met by an "appalling" sight - and one which she has seen before.

Last year, Janet made a complaint to Sefton Council after finding her family's gravestones covered in dirt and grass. She also witnessed another woman break down in tears after she found the same thing had happened to her son's grave.

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After flagging this up to the council's attention, Janet said she expected the issue would be taken care of and never happen again. However, during her latest visit to the cemetery, she was confronted by a "horrible" sight. She said: "We went out at the weekend and they've [grass cutters commissioned by Sefton Council] done the first cut and, as you can see from the photographs, it's absolutely appalling. The graves are ruined.

"Last year was the same, I saw an elderly woman who had to be picked up off the floor. She was breaking her heart crying because of the state of the graves."

What has proven to be particularly galling for Janet is the fact she complained directly to the council last year when her relatives gravestones were covered in the detritus sprayed out from the lawnmowers. Janet refuses to accept this should be allowed to happen. She said: "It's like they're not using back boxes when they're cutting the grass. They do all around the graves and then you see big patches of grass in between.

"When I complain to the council, all I hear is 'funding funding funding'. But they're my family members in those graves. There's just no respect whatsoever for the graves when they're cutting that grass.

"It's horrible. It's a disgrace and it's just totally disrespectful."

Janet says she wants this to be the last time and that processes should be put in place to ensure graves are left clean and tidy after grass cutting. Janet says there are examples of good practise in other areas of Merseyside: She said: "You go to Ford Cemetery which is run by the Liverpool Archdiocese completely different. They have all back-boxes on their strimmers and pick up as much as they can. That's the way it should be done."

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “We receive many requests to cut and strim the grass at our cemeteries and crematoria.

"To promote and encourage better biodiversity, cuttings are left on top of our lawns as this provides vital nutrients and support to keep our memorial spaces green and ecologically friendly.

"This is a process which has been in place for a number of years and is in line with guidance and best practice for cemeteries and crematoria across the UK.

“During periods of stronger winds these cuttings can sometimes be blown onto nearby memorials.

“We sympathise with those who find this potentially upsetting and, where weather and resources allow, we work hard to ensure memorials are cleaned, alongside the care and attention given by those visiting to pay their respects."