A family have criticised the maintenance of Carlisle cemetery following frequent, ‘awful’ flooding.

Anne Cooper has visited a family grave near Fairy Beck in the cemetery for more than 50 years but says that flooding this year has been ‘worse than ever’.

An exceptionally wet winter and early spring has contributed to the issues and Cumberland Council have said that ‘challenging conditions’ have led to the saturated grounds.

Storms throughout the winter and early spring have forced the closure of the cemetery on two occasions to assess the damage.

“We did have a lot of problems with children coming under the arch and pinching flowers but that's nothing compared to what's happening today with all that water,” said Anne.

“Since my daughter got buried there as well, the rest of the family have been going up nearly on a daily basis and that's when they noticed all this flood water.”

Anne said that a grid was placed over the beck around 20 years ago which has caused the flooding and has accused the council of not clearing out the drains.

“My granddaughter goes over nearly every day, and they were over there last week at five o'clock, and the water was going right over the wall, and her boyfriend had to get up and, and clear the drains for the water to go through.

“This has got to stop, and it is so unfair to people that have got graves down there.

“The council must seem to think that there is nothing wrong with the water's going on the graves, but people that have got loved ones buried there don't want their family member soaked in water - we still feel for them.”

Cumberland Council have insisted that they do ‘all we can’ to maintain the cemetery grounds.

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A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: “The heavy rainfall has impacted on the fairy beck, and it has become more swollen, and at times, has overflowed.

“The challenging conditions mean that, at times, the grounds are saturated until the weather improves.

“We do all we can to maintain the acres of land within the Cemetery grounds and appreciate the sensitivities associated with the site.

“If anyone has concerns, we advise them to contact our Bereavement services team.”