Relatives say cemetery is insult to the dead

Relatives who arrived at Overdale Cemetery during the festive period to pay their respects to loved ones said they were left disgusted by the Chorley New Road site.

They say the paths were often flooded during wet periods, making the cemetery inaccessible for elderly or disabled people.

And they claim that the paths were not gritted during cold spells and rotting flowers - some of which they say have been there for months - were not cleared away.

They have called on Bolton Council, which runs the cemetery, to improve it.

Bob Shuttleworth, aged 67, of Clough Fold, Westhoughton, visits the cemetery every Christmas to lay a wreath in memory of his late daughter, Lynn.

He said: "The cemetery is absolutely disgusting.

"I moved here five years ago and I could not believe the state of it. It's an insult to the dead.

"The paths were flooded. My two sons and I had to walk on the grass to get to where wanted to go. Flowers were literally floating in the water.

"I cannot understand why the council does not sort the paths out."

Yvonne Gilston, of Chulsey Gate Lane, Lostock, said: "It's always very slippy on the paths when it has been frosty. The paths never seem to be gritted.

"I slipped in the car park as I was getting out of my car but, luckily, I fell back into my car.

"Elderly people were clinging to each other when they were walking on the paths to make sure they did not fall."

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "Like other parts of Bolton, there is occasionally a problem with flooding in torrential weather.

"But this generally only affects the west Gardens of Overdale.

"We do have an ongoing programme of maintenance taking place which helps to reduce this problem in the grounds.

"But, at the present time, all the paths are accessible in Overdale."