An historic graveyard managed by Bradford Council has been branded a disgrace by a parish priest.

The land at Upper Nidd Street, Thornbury, is the site of the monument marking the grave of young hero teacher Andrew Falkingham, who died while trying to save the life of pupil Henry McGough in a tragic double drowning in June 1863.

A monument to Canon William Scruton, former parish priest of St Patrick's, Bradford, also stands covered with graffiti on the rubbish-shrewn site.

Other vandalised monuments are leaning against walls, covered with scrawling and paint.

Today Father John Abberton, parish priest of nearby St Peter's Roman Catholic Church, said Bradford Council took over the land - which is now used for recreation - about 30 years ago. "I think it is disgusting and the Council should have done a lot more. This is a case of serious neglect," he added.

Father Abberton said he believed the last burials had taken place about the 1930s at the graveyard which was used by the Catholic parishes.

He said a visitor to Canon Scruton's grave from outside Bradford had complained about its state. "If the Council did not want to look after these monuments, it should never have taken on this land on,'' he added.

Father Abberton said he had contacted the Council to ask if the church could take some of the site back but had received no reply.

A spokesman for Bradford Council's Property Services Division said: "We are disposing of a plot of land adjoining the former graveyard site in Upper Nidd Street.

"Once this is completed we will consider the request to transfer the site back to St Peter's. The site is regularly maintained by the Council and any problems with rubbish dumping will be looked into."

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