Families unable to see their loved one's graves are furious at the church for not maintaining the site.

Bereaved visitors to St Mary's Church in Low Road, Hellesdon have criticised the lack of care given to the overgrown churchyard. 

Angela Moore has been visiting both her sister and her mum's graves for 52 years.

St Mary's Church in Low Road, HellesdonSt Mary's Church in Low Road, Hellesdon (Image: Angela Moore)

The 70-year-old said: "I've never seen the graveyard look so disgraceful in all my life, it's so upsetting.

"It's not good enough, there are weeds everywhere and you can't even see the graves half the time.

"My husband tripped over one of the plots, so it's becoming dangerous now.

Families say that the grass and weeds are overgrown at the church groundsFamilies say that the grass and weeds are overgrown at the church grounds (Image: Julie Owens)

"I come here fortnightly and sometimes weekly to maintain and care for my sister's and mum's grave but the rest of it looks appalling."

Julie Owens, 71, added: "The church should be ashamed.

"I recently went there because it was my father's birthday at the weekend and the anniversary of my mum's death.

Angela Moore, 71, who lives in Plantation RoadAngela Moore, 71, who lives in Plantation Road (Image: Angela Moore)

"When I arrived I couldn't even see their graves, it's ridiculous.

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"I had to fight my way through to their graves because the grass is so high and unkept.

Angela said the area is becoming dangerous as the weeds are hiding some gravesAngela said the area is becoming dangerous as the weeds are hiding some graves (Image: Angela Moore)

"It's so upsetting going there because it's absolutely horrendous at the moment and it's only going to get worse.

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"I think it might be something to do with the environment, which I understand, but you can still be mindful of that while keeping the area presentable."

Julie said the church should be ashamed of how the graveyard has been treatedJulie said the church should be ashamed of how the graveyard has been treated (Image: Julie Owens)

The church stressed the importance of bio-diversity, however confirmed it has started cutting the grass.

The walls of the chancel and nave are believed to date back to around 1040.

The church underwent extensive alterations in the second half of the 14th century, seeing the addition of the North aisle, chantry and the South porch.