CREDITON and Tiverton residents took to social media this afternoon to express their shock and question Mid Devon District Council as to why both Tiverton and Crediton Cemeteries had been padlocked without warning earlier today, Friday, April 3.

Laura Conygham, who lives close to Crediton Cemetery, said: "It was the sound of grief that I heard from a young mother prevented from visiting her child’s grave, before I saw this notice.

"Now part of law enacted by central government but cruel to so many of us who will attempt to come to Crediton Cemetery on Good Friday, or just before, because Jesus’s death links directly to us.

"It is almost 30 years since the death of our four-year-old, but I resonnate with that sound.

"I gave her the tissue she asked me for and showed her another way into the cemetery that she can use any time."

Another Crediton resident took to social media to say she had been planning to visit a grave at Crediton on Sunday, the 20th anniversary since her loss.

She wrote: "Does this mean we can’t go to the grave? I was planning to do something extra special. It will be me sobbing at the cemetery gates if this is true."

One Tiverton resident, who wanted to visit the Tiverton cemetery to pay respects to a loved one found that the gates had been padlocked and notices had been placed on the gate.

He said on Twitter: "Mid Devon District Council, Why have you padlocked and closed the gates to the cemetery today?

"Surely this is one of the safest places to be. Safer than going to shops and walks.

"I see that the workmen are still in there digging up new pathways and the allotments are open.

"What’s the difference?"

In one reply Mid Devon District Council said: "This is a very anxious and uncertain time for us all, but as a local authority we must ensure we are abiding by the new measures put in place by the Government, to support their effort to minimise the impact of the Coronavirus in our communities."

This evening Mid Devon District Council issued the following statement: "In line with emergency legislation it is with deep sadness that we must close our Tiverton and Crediton cemeteries to members of the public, unless a funeral is taking place.

"We understand this will be a very distressing time for people who have lost loved ones but we must ensure the safety of everyone.

"This is a very anxious and uncertain time for us all, but as a local authority we must ensure we are abiding by the new measures put in place by the Government, to support their effort to minimise the impact of the Coronavirus in our communities.

"Thank you."