A GRAVEYARD has been left “a complete mess” by Bolton Council , according to church bosses.

The Rev Bob Horrocks said the council has failed to maintain the grass and pathways in the graveyard at St James’ Church, in New Bury, Farnworth, since the local authority took over its management in May.

Mr Horrocks said: “At the moment the yard is a complete mess.

“The grass and vegetation is waist high and people cannot even find the graves because it’s difficult to see the stones, including some of the war graves.

“It’s very upsetting for the relatives and friends who come to visit. The paths have not been kept clear which is inadequate and unsafe for people visiting the graves.”

The church building closed more than a year ago and went into the care of the Redundant Church Uses Committee.

The churchyard closed at the same time because there was no space for new graves.

Farnworth residents have complained to councillors at area forum meetings about the state of the churchyard, but they were told the council would only be able to clear the main paths due to budget cuts.

The council did assure residents that a team of community service conscripts would help clear up the area, but, two months on no work has taken place.

A council spokesman said: “We are aware of the transferred responsibility for churchyard maintenance and have assigned community payback resources to the church for later this week.

“The team will carry out some intensive maintenance over a couple of days to try to bring the churchyard back up to a reasonable standard.

“We will then speak to the church about a reasonable on-going programme of work in keeping with the church standards of maintenance prior to the transfer.

“In some parts of the borough we have set up Friends of the Cemetery groups made up of volunteers from the local community who carry out routine activities which supplement the work of the council and will be discussing with the church whether this is feasible for St James.”