'DISGRACEFUL and unacceptable'.

That is the public verdict on the state of Otley Cemetery following recent maintenance work.

Thick clippings were left covering scores of graves at the Pool Road site after the grass was cut last week.

As the photographs here show, the problem was worsened by the fact strands of wet grass then stuck on to many gravestones.

Family members have been left upset and angry after visiting the cemetery and are demanding answers from Leeds City Council.

Jean Osborne has six family graves at the site and ended up trying to clean them herself - helped by her husband, Malcolm, and daughters Karon CRRCT and Caroline.

The 69 year old said: "It's disgusting and shows a total lack of respect.

"The grass cutting's been bad before and we've almost got used to clearing up afterwards, but it's never been anything like this - it's the worst I've ever seen.

"That's why I had to bring it to everyone's attention.

"They've been leaving the grass lying over the graves, not blowing it off, so it ends up sticking on."

Her daughter Caroline Davis said: "My parents go to the cemetery every week and we're heartbroken at the mess.

"We spent over an hour and a half clearing the graves and my dad, at 70, and mum really shouldn't have to do that.

"They'd just buried a friend and it was her birthday last Thursday so they took her husband, who is 80, down - you couldn't even see her flowers."

The issue has sparked angry responses online, too with more than 100 people commenting on the Otley - Our Town Facebook site.

Town Mayor Councillor Ian Jackson (Lib Dem, Ashfield) was among them, calling it "an appalling state of affairs", while Ellen Christmas added: "What a disgrace! Hope everyone affected gets an apology."

Councillor Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon), who took the issue up with the Parks and Countryside department, said: "It's unacceptable and shouldn't happen.

"The issue has been that some of the graves in that area have tiny fences around them, which means they can't get a mower around so they have to use a strimmer which can leave a mess.

"The first cut of the year is often the worst as the grass is long and wet, so we've agreed that in future they will take a leaf blower along to the first cut.

"That will also happen if, during any cut, they notice it's making a mess."

He added: "This can't happen again - the grass needs to be cut but the graves have to be respected."

A Leeds City Council spokeswoman said: "We’re glad people brought this to our attention and we’ve done everything we can to resolve the issue.

"It happened because we had to use strimmers in certain areas as we were unable to access them.

"With this being the first cut of the season the grass was quite long and did spray around a lot, which we’ve now tidied up with blowers.

"We’ve also done weed-spraying around the areas affected to keep the long grass down, but would ask people to help by not placing fencing around graves so we can keep the grass neat."