THE man in charge of Darwen's cemeteries has admitted he has no idea when the water supply to Darwen Cemetery will be switched back on.

In an email to Darwen councillor Dave Smith, Blackburn with Darwen Council's Tony Watson said he was unable to say when a burst pipe would be fixed.

And now, Friends of Darwen Cemetery volunteers have installed their own water butt - courtesy of local firm James Gibson's - in the Eastern Cemetery so family members can access water for flowers on graves.

Friends group chairman John East said: "James Gibson's did us a very good deal on the water butt and the base. We can always count on local support."

Having been asked if he knew when the water supply would be returned to the cemetery, Tony Watson, the council's head of environment and public protection, said in an email: "I’m afraid we don’t, as the feed that burst is under graves, so it requires a complete re-feed being installed which is being considered at present.

"But given the lack of funding available, we are looking at all options."

A number of cemetery users and friends group volunteers have complained about the lack of water, which has been going on for a couple of months.

Adrian Turner, of Bowling Green Close, said: "I don't think they have any idea how to reconnect the water supply. Everybody is complaining."

Tony Foster, of the Friends of Darwen Cemetery, said he was caught out on Mother's Day when he drove over from his home and then had to go out and buy bottled water.

He said: "Nothing seems to be happening. This problem will probably drag on for weeks."

There have also been complaints after bins likened to 'post boxes' replacing large wire baskets. These have since been supplemented with grey dustbins, some of which still have their old house numbers painted on the side.

Cemetery visitor Paul Boardman, of Prince Lee Meadows, said: "The post boxes and the dust bins are absolutely useless."

Friends of Darwen Cemetery volunteer Colin Briggs said: "Mourners despair. The council could at least have painted over house numbers and taken off all the warning stickers.

"There was nothing wrong with the large wire baskets which have been there for well over 30 year.

Ann Lamont, of Waterfield Avenue, recycled a lot of old wreaths last winter and raised more than £200 for the Friends.

She said: "It will be impossible now with the 'letter box' bins and the ugly old dust bins. The wire baskets were easily accessible."