PARK keepers are urging residents to stop dumping their rubbish in a graveyard bay used to collect old wreaths and flowers.

Visitors to Padiham Cemetery in St John’s Road say that the mound has become an eyesore in recent months.

The compost heap bay was put in the graveyard by the council for floral waste to be disposed of.

Members of Padiham Community Talk Facebook group posted a photograph of the bay on the site, describing it as disgusting.

Cameron Collinge, Burnley Council’s bereavement and customer-services manager, said: “We are aware there is a problem and we are taking steps to resolve it.

“The bay is used for collecting old wreaths, flowers and other items. The cemetery’s main gates are left open to allow disabled access but, unfortunately, some other people are driving in and dumping rubbish in the bays. We are going to remove the bay, grass over the site, and replace it with wire baskets. Hopefully this will resolve the problem.”

Cllr Jean Cunningham, a former mayor who represents the Hapton with Park ward, said: “The bay was put in to help the park keepers manage the biodegradable graveyard waste.

“Unfortunately it is being misused by people to dump bags of rubbish.”

The graveyard came into the spotlight last week when the Lancashire Telegraph reported that gravesides have been left covered in dog muck.

The problem led to a campaign for responsible dog ownership to be extended to cover the cemetery.

Cllr Cunningham has been lobbying to enforce restrictions that would see dogs remain on leads in Padiham Memorial Park, which leads to the cemetery.

And after working on the issue with council parks staff, she has pledged to extend her efforts to cover the cemetery.

Late last year, residents blasted drug users for leaving their syringes in the cemetery.

Dog walkers and parents said used and clean needles had become a regular sight and warned people to take care.

Mark Rowland, 48, of nearby Hapton Road, said at the time: “I found a bag of needles and citric acid which was stuffed in a tree, and my wife saw an old handbag full of needles. Another time we saw one lying on the ground, as well as bottles of alcohol strewn about.

“It is a nice place to walk but this is ruining it because you are having to watch out for needles.”