A WIDOW has been left feeling upset by the “disrespectful” and unkempt state of a cemetery where her late husband is buried.

Nicky Jarrett, 51, regularly visits the Burrs Road cemetery in Great Clacton to pay her respects to her late husband, Steve, who died in 2001 at the age of 29.

Nicky says she has complained unsuccessfully to councillors about the site’s overgrown grass.

Weeds are now said to be towering as high as some of the gravestones, making it difficult for grieving friends and family members to visit their loved ones.

Nicky has suggested she could take her own gardening equipment to the cemetery, which is run by Tendring Council, but feels she should not have to.

Heartbreak - Nicky Jarrett pictured with her late husband Steve

Heartbreak - Nicky Jarrett pictured with her late husband Steve

“I complained to Tendring Council about the state of the cemetery in 2018 and 2019 because the grass is not cut regularly,” she said.

“The weeds are growing around the graves and it just seems disrespectful. The cemetery is being neglected.

“I am a youngish widow and I went to lay flowers at my late husband’s grave and it was the same as it has been before.

“From speaking with other people they are upset too about the lack of respect our relatives seem to receive.”

Nicky is now once again calling on Tendring Council to take more responsibility when it comes to keeping the cemetery neat.

She added: “I want it to be better maintained – it seems unfair the council do not seem to respect the graves.”

Back in 2019, another group of residents also raised concerns over the condition of the “disgraceful” cemetery.

At the time Tendring Council, which is responsible for maintaining the cemetery, said the authority was trying to achieve a balance between nature and memorial.

Damian Williams, corporate director for operations and delivery at Tendring Council, said there have been significant improvements to cemeteries.

He added: “The Covid-19 pandemic has stretched our resources as we respond to help our communities, and due to the high number of burials this year and sadly the evidence of this is clear.

“However, we are now able to begin grass cutting and weed clearance in the old cemetery, an area of challenge due to the close proximity of the graves which means work must be done by hand. We are confident this work will improve matters considerably and apologise for the unavoidable delays in doing so.”