DAMAGE caused to a town cemetery by council workmen clearing leaves during wet weather has been repaired, the authority has said.

Complaints had been raised that Shildon Town Council staff had gouged muddy tracks across parts of St John’s Churchyard from its exit onto Windsor Terrace, Shildon.

The recent damage, dubbed vandalism by one resident, occurred while staff tidied up the area.

Mick Waterson, town council clerk, said: “There are only certain access points to the cemetery, such as Windsor Terrace, where we can get vehicles into the cemetery.

“We needed to go and collect the leaves in the closed cemetery but when we cause tracks like these we go back and make it good.

“It does not cost anymore to do the repairs and the grass comes back through.

“The person who complained must have come past in between us doing the work and the repairs.”