GRAVE diggers have had to disturb the dead after re-opening family plots and finding them too shallow to bury the next generation.

And cemetery bosses have been accused of being 'grossly insensitive' for not informing families after graves at the town's main cemetery, in Ribbleton, were found to be too shallow.

Preston council said that there have been several occasions where family plots have been re-opened for an internment only to discover it has not been dug deep enough.

In a committee report, the council admits that it has not told families, and failed to maintain an accurate record of the number of shallow graves uncovered there.

Councillor Joyce Cartwright, who sits on the environment committee, says she believes bereaved families have been treated unfairly and insensitively. "I think relatives should be informed and an apology offered," she said.

"No-one would like their loved ones to be treated in this way -- I know I certainly wouldn't.

"The council are very quick are get messages across when it suits them, so why not keep families informed about something as emotive as this?"

Now, a number of families who were offered alternative plots have demanded compensation from the town's council.

Chairman of the committee, Coun Albert Richardson, said that members had voted to implement a new policy aimed at rectifying 'mistakes of the past'.

"Unfortunately, we have no way of knowing how serious the problem of shallow graves are until we open them up," he added.

The new policy states that relatives of the deceased will be informed immediately and new grave space offered free of charge.