A WOMAN who suffers from osteoporosis is angry after being told to remove flagstones put down next to her mother’s grave so she and the rest of the family can tend to it.

Joyce Willett, 62, was told to take away the slabs, which were laid by a friend next to the grave in New Southgate cemetery, because they were a health and safety hazard.

However, she says the stones are safe and has criticised the state of the rest of the cemetery and surrounding graves.

The Summers Lane resident told the Times Series: “I have four brothers and sisters and we spend a lot of time maintaining our mother’s grave as she meant a lot to us.

“But there are a lot of others here, which are completely dilapidated and there are crosses and statues hanging off but the cemetery management doesn’t do anything about them.

“The grave next to my mum’s is sinking and I have actually fallen down the dip before. They should look into the other maintenance rather than criticise us for looking after our plot.”

Ms Willett said the management of the privately-owned cemetery, run by the Westerleigh Group, has told her family they would have to pay £9,000 to buy space on a bank in front of the grave to put steps up to it.

She added: “Nine thousand pounds is extortionate.

“When it gets wet it’s really difficult to get up to the graveside for me and other members of the family.

“It’s really very upsetting. All we want to do is give our mum somewhere to rest respectfully.”

Madeline Antoniazzi, the cemetery manager, said the family had not inquired if it was acceptable to place the flagstones, saying they pose a safety hazard as the ground around the graves shifts.

She added: “The family are entitled to use woodchip or shingle around the grave, but the flagstones are encroaching on the graves either side.

“The grave is on a prominent drive on the way into the cemetery and in the future the management may wish to do something with the bank such as put a flowerbed or shrubs there.

“Crosses and memorials are taken off some of the older graves where the families are uncontactable to ensure they remain safe.”