Grave plea over plot extensions

Penwortham Town Council, which is responsible for Hill Road Cemetery, said letters could soon be issued after a “number of complaints” about plots being extended beyond what they should be.

The council added that in some cases, the problem had involving gardens being built around headstones and filled with ornaments.

The complaints are said to focus on people attending the graves, who then having to stand on the neighbouring plots, which has caused distress.

At the time of the original purchase, owners are informed that all ornaments and flowers should only be placed on the headstone.

Steve Caswell, town manager, said the council was trying to approach the matter sensitively, but may be forced to address the situation in a more formal manner.

He said: “The cemetery is a lawned cemetery which means people aren’t supposed to build out from their graves.

“It doesn’t happen very often and we have to clamp down on it now and again.

“At the moment we haven’t actually sent any letters out, we are trying to speak to the grave owners individually but it may be that we have to send out letters, hence the notice to members to make them aware.”