A Ledbury woman says she was "totally incensed" after finding her mother's grave at the town cemetery completely covered with a heap of earth, writes Gary Bills-Geddes.

The mound of soil, which also covered a neighbouring plot, was from a newly-dug grave prepared by a Ledbury Town Council contractor.

Clare Turner, of Homend Crescent, visited the grave of her mother, Catherine Rothery, on Tuesday, only to find what she described as a scene of desecration.

She said: "Flowers had been put behind the headstone and the grave was piled high with soil.

"My mother's gravestone, and one alongside it, were smeared with mud."

A candle of remembrance left on the grave was found among the spoil heap, which was around three feet deep and 12 feet long.

Mrs Turner, who has lodged a complaint with town council, added: "This is a sacred spot, consecrated ground, and I don't believe that anyone could be so callous."

On Wednesday afternoon, when Mrs Turner had a chance encounter with a gravedigger at the cemetery, she was told she could "fill in the hole herself", meaning the newly-dug grave alongside that of her mother.

Town clerk June McQuaid said that before Mrs Turner came in to complain, the council had also been contacted by an undertaker who was concerned at the state of Mrs Rothery's grave.

Mrs McQuaid, who was shown photographs of Mrs Rothery's grave by Mrs Turner, called the situation "totally disgusting".

She added: "It's totally unacceptable to cover two graves like that."

She said the council would write to the contractor and advise that there was a wheelbarrow on site to be used for spoil from graves.

The contractor was unavailable for comment. By yesterday (Thursday), the contractor had made some effort to restore the graves.

Mrs Turner said: "The headstones have been cleaned and there is even water in the vases, although the graves look somewhat squashed."