Cemetery gates will be unlocked for two days a week from weekend

A parish council will be reopening the main gates at a cemetery after they were permanently shut to deter anti-social behaviour earlier this year.

The main gates at Thurcroft Cemetery were locked back in April by Thurcroft Parish Council after cars, vans and motorcycles were driven onto the cemetery premises, intimidating groups gathered, there was alleged drug and alcohol use, loud music was played and a warden was subjected to verbal abuse.

But the move angered many visitors to the cemetery, saying they could not access loved ones’ graves.

Pedestrian access to the side of the cemetery had remained open with a gate accessible by wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

But the parish council recently said it would reopen the gates from October 4 - with the proviso that they would shut again if the problems persisted.

The gates will open on Sunday October 4 at 9am and will open each Sunday and Wednesday between 9am and 3pm.