AN EAST Lancashire parish council's plan to use sheep to keep grass short in the village graveyard has had to be dropped following accusations of baa-d taste.

Councillors in Worsthorne, Burnley, wanted to take up a local farmer's offer of a group of tups to graze in the Methodist Chapel cemetery to save money on employing a lawnmower.

However, bleats from village residents that sheep trampling over a graveyard was offensive have forced them to abandon the plan - and increase the parish rates instead.

Today the man who suggested the idea said he was surprised the plan was rejected. Keith Richardson, Superintendent Minister of Burnley Methodist Circuit, said: "What could be more natural than sheep in a country graveyard?

"They would keep the place neat and tidy.

"I cannot understand why any person should feel upset about this."

The parish council has been responsible for maintaining the 100-year-old graveyard since taking over the church, now disused, in 1983 - but the role is costing more than £600 a year.

Councillors voted to increase the parish precept by 50p - bringing in an extra £500 a year - at their last meeting.

And they have appealed to their colleagues at Burnley Council to take over responsibility for the graveyard.

Chairman of Worsthorne with Hurstwood Parish Council, Coun Tony Lambert, said: "A local farmer offered to get a group of his tups in, which would have been quite a sensible move. But, unfortunately, there were quite a lot of objections to the plan."