AN EX-HUSBAND has been branded "sick" after having the graves of his dead children dug up.

Tom Gilligan, 55, unearthed the plot to bury his brother John with his two children, Donna-Marie and Gary Martin, who died 25 years ago, in an attempt to keep the family together.

But his devastated ex-wife Dorothy Bradlow, 51, formerly of Roman Road, Blackburn, says she will never forgive the father of their two children for disturbing their graves.

Mr Gilligan had his brother buried next to the babies in seperate coffins at Pleasington Cemetery last Friday.

When the Lancashire Telegraph contacted Mr Gilligan he denied doing anything wrong and said: "I own the plot and can do what I like".

Ms Bradlow, who has three daughters, moved from Blackburn to Blackpool 13 years ago.

She said: "His digging up the past has totally destroyed me.

"My Christmas and New Year has been totally ruined by this.

"I am suffering deep inside and nobody knows how it feels.

"It's like my heart has been torn out. He is sick and twisted.

"Those babies should have been left in peace, he's not letting them settle."

Son Gary died when he was 13 months old from respiratory infection croup in 1982.

Just a few months later, the couple suffered a second tragedy when baby Donna-Marie Gilligan died from cot death when she was eight months old.

Mr Gilligan, who lives in Accrington, said: "I wanted my brother next to the children.

"It was up to me where I bury my brother. I own the plot and can do what I like."

A spokesman for the Co-Op Funeral Service in Blackburn confirmed the burial had taken place at Pleasington last Friday.

He added: "Mr Gilligan owns the plot. The decision as to who he has buried at the plot lies with him."