OVERGROWN weeds and uncollected grass cuttings have upset some residents who have loved ones buried at Prestonpans Cemetery.

Some residents have contacted the Courier to tell of their disappointment at the upkeep of the cemetery, while others have made similar comments regarding nearby Tranent Cemetery.

One visitor to Prestonpans Cemetery said: “I remember the cemetery being a celebration of life, honouring those gone before – beautiful flowerbeds, neatly cut grass, a place of contemplation.”

And she claimed: “Fast forward half a century, and the place is unkempt, full of weeds and in a generally rundown state. So much for progress, it is a sad reflection on East Lothian Council.

“Local people try as well as possible to tend to the graves of their loved ones but it is hard each time to be faced with the continual council neglect.”

Meanwhile, Jane Stewart from Macmerry, who regularly visits her late husband Bill and her late parents Tom and Nettie at Tranent Cemetery, said that grass cuttings had been left to blow everywhere and weeds were left half-cut.

Some on social media suggested that the coronavirus pandemic, a shortage of staff and lack of funding could have led to the issues.

A council spokesperson said: “We are aware our maintenance work is currently slightly behind schedule in the western part of the county. We have managed 12 burials in the past two weeks, which meant that there had been a delay in our grass cutting, but this has restarted in recent days, with further work to be carried out within the coming week. We apologise for any distress felt by visitors.”