A WIDOW hit out at the “disgraceful” state of a grave yard filled with “forgotten war heroes”.

Scores of First and Second World War soldiers are buried at St John’s Church in Woodley.

But resident Jean Bennett, 78, believes the fallen heroes deserve more respect.

Her plea comes after the Church Road site has become overgrown and plagued with litter.

On one visit to Mr Bennett’s grave, she discovered a used baby’s nappy had been callously discarded.

The 78-year-old, of Woodley, said: “I think it’s a disgrace.

“It’s utterly disgusting and something needs to be done about it.

“I tried to ring the parish to discuss it with them but they have gone on holiday now.

“There are so many local people at St John’s that have fought for our country in both world wars.

“The state of the graveyard is awful. The grass is all overgrown.

“You can’t see the graves at the back. That’s how bad it is.

“It seems to me the ones at the grave have become the forgotten war heroes.”

Mrs Bennett revealed she often finds herself on her hands and knees cutting overgrown grass around her late husband’s grave with a pair of scissors.

Mrs Bennett added: “I went to visit the grave recently and there was a baby’s nappy discarded on the grass.

“It’s really not on.

“I feel quite sad about the state of it really.

“I noticed it a few months ago. I was going to report it but I thought I should leave it.

“My daughter went to the grave recently and said something has to be done.

“Sometimes I go up there with a set of shears and hack away at the grass.

“Last time I was on my hands and knees with a pair of scissors trying to clean up the area around the grave.”

Mrs Bennett, a keen bowls player who has worked as a volunteer for several organisations, urged church bosses to take better care of the area.

A spokesman for Diocese of Oxford said anyone who wants to volunteer to help clear the area can contact them on 01189697956.

They added: “A hardworking team of volunteers cut the grass and work on keeping the churchyard at St John’s Woodley clear every Saturday. However, each spring, certain areas are left to grow to allow wildflowers to thrive for ecological reasons.

“We do ensure that paths to graves are mown so that visitors can have access to the graveside of their beloved ones to tidy them up or leave flowers.

“We want the church building and yard to be a place of serenity and peace for everyone who visits.”