WILD rabbits are adding to mourners' misery at Ilkley Cemetery.

Flowers left on graves on are being eaten within hours by the rabbits which are also causing problems in nearby gardens.

Now Ilkley district councillor Colin Powell has demanded action from Bradford Council over the problem.

Coun Powell said: "Rabbits are once again an increasing problem in Ilkley Cemetery, causing distress to relatives when they visit the graves of their loved ones only to discover that their floral tributes have been decimated. Nearby resident are experiencing similar problems in their gardens."

He said he had contacted David Congreve, the Council's Bereavement Service Manager, to see what action could be taken to alleviate the problem but was told nothing could be done.

He said Mr Congreve told him that he was open to advice on the issue if anyone could come forward with a solution which was acceptable to mourners, other cemetery users and animal lovers. But Coun Powell said: "I consider this response to be totally unacceptable and have insisted that positive action be taken.

"I am appalled that the welfare of rabbits comes before the worries and concerns of bereaved relatives and friends."

Parish councillor Lexa Robinson said that she had been aware of the problem at the Leeds Road cemetery for a long time but there was not much that could be done about it.

Coun Robinson said: "The rabbits have been there a long time but people have said they don't want anything doing with them - it is a delicate situation."

She said that she had been informed that relatives had been upset after a funeral last year when a massive wreath spelling the word 'Grandad' had been stripped bare within two days.

Coun Robinson said: "It is a shame that people can't put flowers on but people have said it is nice to see the rabbits and why shouldn't they be allowed to roam around."

Coun Robinson said mourners had been taking advice about what flowers rabbits don't like to eat, but florists told the Gazette that rabbits would eat any plant.

Coun Robinson suggested that silk flowers could make an attractive alternative to the real variety, or perhaps nets could be placed over floral tributes to protect them from the ravenous bunnies.

"I think the rabbits are there to stay. They might be multiplying at an unacceptable rate but I can't see us getting rid of them altogether," Coun Robinson said.

A Bradford Council spokeswoman said: "We are aware of this problem which occurs at most rural cemeteries from time to time.

"We have investigated the situation and it appears the only way of safely controlling the rabbit population is through natural means.

"In the past families have contacted us about this but not recently," she added.