Families' anger at locked Great Wyrley cemetery on Christmas Day
Families visiting the graves of their loved ones on Christmas Day were left devastated after arriving to find the cemetery locked.
Some scaled wire fencing to get into the burial site in Great Wyrley while others were forced to return home unable to gain entry.
The Strawberry Lane Cemetery was launched in July and was supposed to be open every day, according to South Staffordshire Council's website.
David and Sharon Millington were among those left angry and upset by the shock closure. The couple had wanted to visit the grave of their daughter Danielle Pincher, a sister at
Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital, who died in July aged just 31. Mrs Millington said: "This was our first Christmas without her. Of all the days to close, this was the worst. I can't believe a council can be so cruel.
"My mum is 83 and one of Danielle's sisters is eight and a half months pregnant.
"They couldn't go climbing over fences. It made a tragic situation worse. The headstone had only been put up the week before and the whole family were coming. We were deflated.
"It spoiled Christmas Day completely."
Mr Millington, aged 66, said they drove past the cemetery at different times but it was shut throughout the day.
Today Councillor Janet Johnson, who represents Great Wyrley on the district council, voiced sympathy for families affected. She said: "Obviously it's a time when people do want to visit cemeteries, and it's unusual that that this one was closed. I will make inquiries, there may be a perfectly good explanation."
