Greenwich Council has apologised after a visitor complained of the “disrespectful” and messy condition of a cemetery in Charlton.

Charlton cemetery was snapped having overgrown grass, a bin tipped over and headstones lost in shrubbery by a furious mourner on Father’s Day.

The Abbey Wood resident, who did not want to be named, said she often visits and has complained before about it’s maintenance.

She said: “I come here to visit my father. I’ve been coming here for 31 years and it’s been getting worse and worse.

“The grass has got to be about two-foot long, it’s up to my waist in some parts. The front of the cemetery is beautiful, the Muslim section is well kept and so is the children’s area, but elsewhere the trimmings are strewn over graves and it’s overgrown.

“It’s careless and thoughtless and disrespectful. As bad as it is – all sections should be kept well. In the centre there are graves that are from the war – it’s disgusting.

“It’s really infuriating. It’s the worst I have ever seen it. I complained back in March when it was my dad’s anniversary. It shouldn’t have come to me complaining, going to the MP and tweeting to get a response. Clearly the cutbacks can’t stretch to the grass.”

The 42-year-old resident said some headstones were covered in grass, while others were being leant on by shrubbery and overhanging branches.

The council replied to a tweet showing the pictures saying it apologised for the upset caused.

In a statement offered further reassurance.

A spokesman said: "A number of sections throughout the Royal Borough’s Cemeteries are designated as Conservation Grass Areas, this includes some sections within Charlton Cemetery. Council officers have recently reviewed the designation of some of the sections including those pictured in your tweet and can confirm these are currently being cut.

“Due to the size of the area and the time taken to cut between each grave we anticipate this work will be completed within the next 2-3 weeks.

“We can also confirm that the branch overhanging the Memorial stone has been located and removed.

"We would like to reassure you that these sections of the cemeteries will be included in all future maintenance programmes.”