DOZENS of residents have complained about a Nantwich cemetery which has been vandalised and neglected.

Borough councillor Brian Silvester and his Tory colleague Cllr Donald Potter say they are dismayed at the state of the All Saints cemetery at the junction of Middlewich Road and the Barony.

Now they are calling for young people on Community Service orders to be given the task of clearing up after the yobs who wreak havoc at the site.

Cllr Silvester said: 'We have had dozens of complaints about this. It is totally wrong for these youths to desecrate a special place like this.

'Many of us have relatives buried in this cemetery and they should show more respect. They leave behind litter and have broken some concrete slabs.

'The site belongs to St Mary s Church, but the council have for some years cut the hedge along -side Middlewich Road, even though it is actually not their responsibility.'

He added: 'The grass has been growing out of control for a while now. Because the cemetery is run by the Church, it may be proving too costly for them to maintain it.

'That is why I am suggesting that the church look into the possibility of getting these youths to clean up, because it is an arrangement which could benefit all.'

Now members of the council are to set up a meeting with church representatives to discuss improving churchyard maintenance, the possibility of community involvement and the use of young people on Community Service orders.

In the meantime the site will be regularly checked by council officials.