A RETIRED couple from Leominster are upset they were only allowed a few minutes to lay flowers in Great Malvern's cemetery when they arrived shortly before it before it closed.

Jack and Jennie Hughes regularly visit the cemetery off Madresfield Road, where Mrs Hughes' parents and other family members are buried.

But they were dismayed when they turned up at the cemetery gates at about 6pm one evening recently to be told they gates were being locked.

Mrs Hughes said: "On this particular evening I was singing in a church in Malvern, and we thought we'd visit the cemetery first."

She and her husband looked at Malvern Town Council's website before setting out, but could not find the cemetery opening times posted there. They assumed that the cemetery would be open to 8pm, as is the case in Hereford and Leominster.

She said: "We arrived at six to be told by a very officious person that the cemetery was closing. We explained we had come thirty miles and there was no information on the website.

"On asking politely for just ten minutes to lay our flowers we were told in no uncertain terms that the cemetery would close in five minutes and the gates locked."

They couple did lay the flowers, but said: "The way we were treated was very wrong and upsetting. We also feel sad that visitors to the graves are denied access so early.

"These visits have always given us great comfort and we have been always found the cemetery to be well tended with friendly staff."

Since Mr and Mrs Hughes' experience, the cemetery opening times have been added to the town council's website.

Malvern mayor Julian Roskams said: "Malvern Town Council contacted Mr and Mrs Hughes immediately it became aware of their concerns. Their complaints were taken seriously by council staff and dealt with promptly.

"Both the town clerk and operations manager have apologised to the couple, and I hope that Mr and Mrs Hughes are willing to accept that apology and will continue to come to the cemetery to visit their family graves."