A COUNCIL has apologised to families whose treasured keepsakes were thrown off graves at a Crewe cemetery by contractors.

Cheshire East Council's bereavement services company Orbitas has launched an investigation after fielding complaints from plot holders at Meadow Brook Cemetery on Minshull New Road.

One woman said she was left "devastated" by the lack of respect shown at her mother's grave. Hailey Lumsden and her teenage son found the mementoes, including a picket fence, thrown onto other gravestones. While other families complained that excavated soil had been piled up on their headstones.

Cheshire East Council says letters were sent out to families asking them to remove their mementoes before the work laying a new path started. But it accepts some may not have received their letters, while others may not have appreciated the type of work that was to be undertaken.

Cllr Jill Rhodes, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for public health and corporate services, said: "We deeply regret the distress this may have caused to relatives and loved ones who may not have received the notification letters issued three weeks ago.

"Families were requested by letter to remove any mementoes from their plots. Unfortunately, this had not been done in some instances and our contractors were left to remove these belongings themselves when they began the work to create a new pathway.

"We acknowledge that not all relatives and plot owners were aware of the nature of the work that was to take place."

Work on creating the new path was disrupted by last week's heavy rain, which meant contractors working for Orbitas did not have enough time to complete and clear up by the weekend when visiting families discovered their mementoes had been removed.

The purpose for laying the concrete flag path is so plots can be reached more easily in wet weather. A gravel strip is also to be laid for the interment of cremated remains.

The council says that as Meadow Brook is a relatively new cemetery Orbitas continues to carry out work to "enhance its surroundings and develop a peaceful and tranquil environment where loved ones can reflect and pay their respects".

"We accept that the area should have been left in a better state and we are contacting all the families concerned to offer our apologies and to assure them that this will not happen again," added Cllr Rhodes.

"We have been assured that the council's bereavement services company is carrying out an investigation.