IRRESPONSIBLE pet owners have been allowing their dogs to mess on graves.

And other visitors to a Hartlepool cemetery described finding cars parked on top of the graves.

Councillors said those visiting loved-ones resting places in the cemetery had found it "heartbreaking" when they found dog excrement on the actual graves.

Hartlepool Council is urging people to respect the town's Stranton Cemetery after a range of issues, including the theft of memorial items from graves and dog mess.

Parking and driving vehicles through the cemetery and across graves were also causing a problem.

The council has now launched a campaign in response to the issues, which kicks off a wider piece of work to look at improvements to the cemetery.

Council leader Christopher Akers-Belcher said: "The council works hard to maintain the cemetery as a special place where families and individuals can go in peace to grieve for their loved ones.

“The majority of people support us, but there is a minority whose inappropriate behaviour causes significant problems.”

Councillor Marjorie James, chair of the neighbourhood services committee, said: “Some people refuse to walk even a few yards when visiting graves and they have even been known to park their cars on adjacent graves. That is really appalling.

“In addition, visiting a loved one’s grave and finding the area – including the actual grave - covered in dog mess must be heartbreaking.”

Stranton Cemetery is covered by a Dog Control Order that stipulates that dogs must always be kept on a lead.