A WIDOWER was left in tears after discovering council workers had dumped rubble on his late wife’s grave.

David Smith, 70, was shocked to find the earth and a large green tarpaulin had been left on the grave of his wife Mary.

Mr Smith said his daughter, Sarah Ford, and granddaughter Eden, one, were distraught when they came across it at Dovercourt Cemetery on Saturday.

Mr Smith, of Manor Road, Dovercourt, said: “I went up to investigate and what I found was so shocking it made me cry. At first site it looks like some hideous exhumation although nothing has been dug up only stuff dumped.

"I can see digger tyre marks leading up to the grave but I can think of no logical explanation as to why this has happened.

“No other graves are affected and no new graves are being dug.

“The grave stands on its own and it looks like someone has decided to randomly dump a 3ft high mountain of rubbish on it.

“The green sheet even covers the stone itself which when I took it away the stone was all muddy and the rose bush planted there has been ruined.

“I am upset to think of all that dumped on top of my dear wife. It looks like something out of a horror movie."

Nigel Brown, Tendring Council’s communications manager, said the council sincerely apologised for any distress caused.

He added: “The work was carried out by staff to prepare for a burial at the cemetery which was due to take place on Monday at the plot next to Mrs Smith’s grave.

“The infill spoil was placed on the adjoining grave as is normal practice at all of our sites.

“As much care as is practical is taken to ensure existing internments are protected from infill but we can appreciate how upsetting it must be to the family when an internment is taking place on an adjoining plot.”

Mr Brown added once the burial has taken place the area is restored.

He added: “In this case the council’s open space and transport manager will personally visit the site to ensure the restoration is complete and should there be any damage to the rose bush it will be replaced."