MOURNERS have praised council workers for clearing up a cemetery.

People with relatives buried at East Cemetery, in Darlington, voiced concern that the area was being vandalised.

It was alleged that Darlington Borough Council staff had not carried out work at the site since January. The council denied the claim.

John Blanchard, who has been visiting a family grave since 1976, said since mourners voiced their concerns the council had taken steps to improve the cemetery.

He said: "One of the problems was that quite a lot of the headstones had been pushed over and left. These have now been made safe. A whole section of railings had been taken out by people who wanted to use the cemetery as a shortcut to get to Geneva Road. The council has had them put back.

"I am very pleased that they are doing something about the cemetery."