A letter writer to the Largs and Millport News has voiced their upset at the state of Millport new cemetery.

John Pope, of Marine Parade, writes: "On 2nd August I made a visit to a grave in Millport new cemetery. I visit several times a year. The last time I was up a couple of months ago I noticed quite a change in the overall condition of the place with weeds, longer than usual grass, misuse of weed killer etc.

"This time I am actually in shock that such a beautiful place can have deteriorated in such a way and in such short a time.

The place is a disgusting, disgraceful mess. The paths are covered in weeds, the grass is long, full of weeds and moss and spongy and the edging has had weed killer splashed around in an attempt to make it look ‘tidy’ to save going round with edging shears.

"For over 40 years Jack Thomson looked after the cemetery and there was never even a blade of grass out of place. Less than a year after his retirement it is unbelievable what has happened. Even the handles are broken off the gate and hung up on one of the posts.

I have sympathy with the gardeners who tend to the cemetery as they are obviously not being given time by North Ayrshire Council to properly tend to a fairly large area, but to whoever is in charge of the maintenance there is simply no excuse for this awful mess. Even allowing for the weather conditions this year there is no reason why the place is so terribly neglected.

I am sure that I am not the only person who has noticed this dreadful change in what was one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the country and would hope that it can be brought back to what it was less than a year ago. One man’s efforts have shamed a whole department and there is no reason why it cannot be returned to its former glory."