SOUTHAMPTON Old Cemetery is in a terrible state.

I know there are government cutbacks and the living come before the dead, but this shows a total lack of respect.

There are over 100 war graves, over 50 Southampton mayors buried here, many Titanic graves and around 120,000 graves of various religions.

You wouldn’t know it, though, most can’t be reached because Southampton City Council, which is responsible for its upkeep, has let it get completely overgrown, in some areas higher than the headstones.

A fire broke out at the weekend, it was only due to the firefighters’ efforts that it didn’t spread further.

The Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery, a small local volunteer group, can only do so much and must be feeling overwhelmed.

Belinda Estell

Bitterne