Ilkley cemetery has been labelled a 'war zone' by a man visiting a grave - but the parish council has defended the commitment shown by staff.

Parish clerk Miggy Bailey has received a letter from a visitor to the cemetery, disgusted at grass strewn in the Leamington Terrace cemetery.

However, Coun Lexa Robinson, the parish council chairman-elect, said Bradford Council's cemetery staff had put in a great deal of hard work over the past three or four years.

"I think you have to give credit where credit is due. I know the grass has been cut and it is unfortunate if it has blown on to graves," she said.

Coun Robinson said she did not wish to comment about specific incidents but she did say cemetery staff were powerless to touch the graves in the cemetery. "The only people allowed to touch the headstones and the graves are the relatives.

"Those cutting the grass are not allowed to do anything with the graves," she said.

Coun Robinson said the cemetery was much improved and she believed resources were being directed to Ilkley, obviously with limitations. She also said complaints about 'moving' headstones could not be laid at the feet of Bradford Council. She said subsidence could cause stones to topple over, but again, the council was powerless to carry out repairs.

A spokesman for Bradford Council's cemetery section said it was policy to leave cut grass to rot back into the ground. However, he said if complaints were received about grass on the paths, they would be looked in to.

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