CHESTER residents have criticised the "appalling" look of Overleigh Cemetery, which has seen weeds and overgrown grass all over the site, encroaching on to plots.

Cheshire West and Chester Council said the weather conditions at the end of May and early June, which saw more rainfall than usual, led to "a rate of grass growth across the borough that exceeds anything our teams have seen before".

Such weather has been pinned as the cause of the overgrown and untidy look of Overleigh Cemetery, on Overleigh Road, Handbridge.

Westminster Park residents Jennifer and David Sale said they had visited the cemetery last week to visit their son's plot, and were shocked at the cemetery's overall state.

Jennifer said: "The cemetery is a tourist attraction; it's where the husband of Lily Langtry, Edward Langtry, is, and the Chester Tour Bus always stops outside.

"It's appalling how bad it looks. My husband did try to cut around our son's plot when we visited – a lady was also there, trying to cut a thick hedge around the plot with a pair of scissors, which didn't really do the job, but you don't expect to have to take big gardening tools when visiting.

"The cemetery is supposed to be a garden of reflection, it's important to people when they're visiting their family and friends."

Residents have also expressed dismay at overflowing bins at the cemetery – albeit, once the overflowing bins are reported to the council, they are emptied very soon afterwards.

The Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, highways and strategic transport, Cllr Karen Shore, said: “We have contractors in place to cut grass at our cemeteries, once every three weeks.

"Recent weather conditions at the end of May and early June have seen a rate of grass growth across the borough that exceeds anything our teams have seen before.

"StreetCare staff are currently working to expanded schedules to ensure grass growth is cut back on verges and other locations. As everyone is spending more time outdoors during the warmer weather bins are filling up really quickly, so teams are also working hard to empty them promptly.

“Sincere apologies to residents who have expressed concerns regarding the grass growth and overflowing bins. Our Report It system is working well and any issues are actioned quickly by our teams.”