A DAUGHTER was left devastated after her mother's grave was found piled high with soil.

Nicola Openshaw went to visit her mother's burial place in East Lancashire Crematorium, in Radcliffe, but arrived to find a huge mound of earth covering it.

The 38-year-old, from Radcliffe, said it was 'inhumane' that grave diggers had left the soil on top of the grave when there is a 'massive' space behind the plot.

Ms Openshaw, who is one of three siblings, said: "I'm absolutely devastated. I can't believe this has happened.

"We lost our mother quite suddenly last year but to go through this as well is awful.

"I went to visit her grave and could not believe my eyes. I felt disoriented.

"There was a massive mound of soil and dirt all on top.

"I was so upset. Imagine if it had been an anniversary of her death or birthday. There is no sensitivity."

Ms Openshaw said that solar lights which had been put in the ground surrounding her mother's grave had been removed, and the £1,000 headstone had been covered over with cardboard.

Ms Openshaw visited the grave last Friday afternoon and complained to Bury Council that same day.

On Monday morning, she said the soil was still covering the grave.

Ms Openshaw's mother died suddenly in July last year from the life-threatening condition sepsis, caused when the body injures its own tissues and organs as it responds to infection.

A Bury Council spokesperson said: “When a grave needs to be reopened for a further burial, it is difficult to get enough access for the mechanical digger which would allow the soil to be deposited away from any adjacent plots.

"This is why we often have to temporarily place the soil onto the nearest grave – and this likelihood is specifically mentioned in the documents given to those who have arranged a burial in our cemeteries.

“In such circumstances, we will protect the headstone and remove any mementos for safekeeping while the work is going on.

"We always aim to move the soil and restore the adjacent plot as soon as possible.

"On this occasion, it took longer than normal, for which we apologise.

“We are sorry for any upset we have caused to Ms Openshaw and we hope we have restored her family grave to its rightful condition.”