Pitsea Cemetery entrance blocked by fly-tipped green waste

One resident said she could not visit a family grave due to the mess from the shredded vegetation

Environment officers have been investigating after dumped waste blocked the entrance to a graveyard.

Basildon Council said vehicles could not access Pitsea Cemetery after the incident in the Essex town last week.

One resident said on social media that she could not get to a family grave due to the blockage on Church Road.

Councillor Kevin Blake branded the fly-tipping of shredded tree waste "absolutely disgraceful" and called for those responsible to be jailed.

Tory councillor Kevin Blake said those responsible should be jailed

Mr Blake, the councillor with responsibility for the environment, said an investigation was under way.

"It's a criminal offence and they should be put away for it. People there are trying to visit others who have been buried and it's absolutely disgraceful," he said.

A council spokesman said the authority took fly-tipping "very seriously", and added that every report was investigated.

"Disposing of waste illegally will not be tolerated, and perpetrators should prepare to be prosecuted and fined," he added.