A GRIEVING grandson has criticised crematorium chiefs for their handling of a multimillion pound expansion project, accusing them of causing “indescribable pain” to bereaved families.

Peter Naylor said the area at Durham Crematorium where his grandmother’s ashes were scattered had been turned into “a muddy mess of tyre tracks and work boot prints” by contractors working on a £2.4m upgrade.

The revamp, officially launched at a sod-cutting ceremony yesterday, will see the 50-year-old crematorium, which is operating at five times its original rate, get new cremators, an electricity substation and a larger car park.

Registrar Alan Jose said he was delighted the go-ahead had been given for the project, as it would create an even better experience for all who use the well-supported and muchloved community resource.

Mr Naylor, of Esh Winning, near Durham, has visited the crematorium weekly since grandmother Marian Wood’s ashes were scattered there last August.

However, on Wednesday, March 16 – which would have been her 83rd birthday – he found a landmark tree had been felled and ground nearby churned up. Flowers he had left five days earlier were covered in mud, he said.

“This brought great upset to my family, but I shudder to think how the loved ones of the ashes I saw scattered last Friday must feel,” said Mr Naylor. “Dealing with the loss of somebody is hard enough, but to find their final resting place desecrated days later must cause indescribable pain.”.

Mr Jose said notices of the planned work had been displayed and normal planning rules followed.

There were concerns about some trees being removed, he said, but an area of topsoil was removed carefully and would be respread when the work was finished.

Mr Jose said he was very aware of the sensitivities involved and invited anyone with concerns to contact him.

The expansion is due to be completed by July next year.

The crematorium, which handles 2,100 cremations a year, will remain open throughout.

Yesterday’s sod-cutting was performed by Mr Jose, Durham County Council chairman Mac Williams and Maria Plews, chairwoman of the Central Durham Crematorium Joint Committee.