A MAN has accused gravediggers of piling soil on his mother's grave and leaving it in a "terrible mess".
Roger Brace, 62, of Ledbury, said piles of soil were left on his mother Phyllis Brace's grave at All Saints Church in Hollybush.
"The grave on one side had been dug out and the earth piled on top of her grave," he said.
"It took me an hour to sweep it up. It had been left in a terrible mess."
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He said a robin ornament on Mrs Brace's grave had also been damaged.
Mr Brace said a number of his family members are buried at All Saints Church, with his mother having been buried there since 2021.
In the time his mother has been buried at the church, Mr Brace said he has had no previous problems.
"Lots of my family are out there and we try to look after the graves so when something like this happens, it's not very nice."
Mr Brace said he has contacted the church to complain but has received no response.
The Reverend Julie James, Vicar of Hollybush church said that she had spoken to another family member and "apologised profusely".
She said: "We are very sorry for any dirt left on a grave following the digging of another grave in the adjacent spot.
"It was a reserved spot and was difficult for the grave diggers to get to, particularly as it was very rainy at the time.
"I did speak to the family when concerns were raised and apologised profusely for any upset that may have been inadvertently caused.
"We were not aware of damage to any ornament, but we do ask that separate ornaments are not left on graves because they can easily get damaged or taken.
"I would be happy to speak to the family further and have also raised the issue with the funeral directors."
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