A GRIEVING pensioner has launched a

blistering attack on Leeds City Council over the state of Otley Cemetery.

Lyndis Marsden, 76, has six close members of her family buried in the Pool Road cemetery and visits every month to pay her respects. But she has become so disgusted with the state of the cemetery that she leaves every time

thoroughly upset.

"Each time I visit I get more and more upset by the terrible neglected state of the cemetery.

"When the grass is cut it's usually left to blow about and our headstones have been left with tyre marks on them," she said.

Mrs Marsden, who now lives in Driffield with her new husband, visits the graves of both her parents, her two sons, her former husband and brother-in-law. "The cemetery never used to be like this, the whole cemetery was looked after. Now there are places were graves seem to be surrounded by neglect."

Mrs Marsden added that she had written to the council complaining and had not even got a reply.

She was also disgusted by the state of the cemetery toilets. "They are terrible. When you're down there for a long time tending graves you need to use the toilets, but to be crude, people have to stand up to use them. They're disgusting and I'm told the gents' are just as bad."

A spokesman for Leeds Leisure Service Department said yesterday: "Otley Cemetery receives regular maintenance throughout the year, which includes grass cutting, strimming of weeds, hedge cutting, path sweeping and a regular emptying of litter bins.

"The heavy rain and warm weather of the past few weeks have meant that the grass has been growing more quickly, which may have given the impression that it has not been cut recently. The toilets are also checked and cleaned regularly by our staff. However, if the abuse continues we will consider the viability of keeping the toilets open.."

Anyone who sees vandalism or the misuse of parks or cemeteries should ring the 24-hour security number (0113) 2652103