PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has called on the Church of England to spruce up graveyards next to abandoned and redundant churches.

He believes cash being spent on maintaining bishops' palaces should be diverted to look after the place of rest of the dead.

The Pendle Labour back bencher tackled Church Commissioner Sir Stuart Bell in the Commons. He asked him: "What about graveyards next to abandoned or redundant churches?

"I find it very dispiriting to see neglected and overgrown graveyards when the Church is spending money on bishops' palaces.

"It does not, however, have the money to maintain graveyards."

Second Churches Estates Commissioner Sir Stuart replied: "Yes, of course, redundant churches sometimes have a cemetery next to them.

"No-one wants graves to fall into such a condition, and every effort is made to maintain those cemeteries in keeping with the churches commitment and in keeping with the wishes of people who's lost ones are buried there.

"We will do our very best to take into account the point you have made."

Afterwards Mr Prentice said: "I am urging the Church of England to act on the sorry state of many cemeteries adjacent to abandoned or redundant churches.

"The state of some cemeteries is an absolute disgrace."