MOURNERS wanting to visit their loved ones' graves on Monday were devastated to find Quinton Cemetery closed.

The gates were locked at the Halesowen Road cemetery and countless people who wanted to start the new year by laying flowers or tending graves were unable to.

Many tried to phone Birmingham City Council on the phone numbers on the gates but were unable to get a response due to it being a bank holiday.

One mourner, who did not want to be named, told the News: "I counted 75 people trying to get into the cemetery in the hour I was there.

"There were people who had travelled for miles to visit a grave, and those who were just in the area for the festive period and it was the last chance they had to see a grave."

He added: "I have been visiting this graveyard every year for ten years on this day and felt awful I could not do it this year.

"I spent ages trying to get through to somebody at the council to come and open the gates but I was just put on hold."

He added: "Someone needs to be held responsible for this."

Andrea Haines, acting head of bereavement services for Birmingham City Council, apologised for the fiasco at the cemetery.

She said: “Firstly, my sincere apologies go to those who went to Quinton Cemetery on Monday to visit their loved ones’ graves but were unable to do so.

“Arrangements were put in place by Bereavement Services for the cemetery gates to be opened by one of the council’s grounds maintenance contract service providers, however due to a miscommunication this did not happen."

Ms Haines assured people with loved ones buried at the cemetery the gates would not be locked by mistake again.

She added: "We are working with our contractor to ensure that they put a plan in place to prevent this from happening again.”

Quinton Cemetery opened in January 1923 and covers 51 acres, a new chapel, office and registrar’s house were built in 1936, but only the office and house now remain.