VOLUNTEERS last year put in more than 2,000 hours of unpaid work worth almost £20,000 to restore and look after Darwen Cemetery.

This year they could work even harder as Blackburn with Darwen Council cuts in maintenance bite.

The figures were revealed in a report to The Friends of Darwen Cemetery by trustee and working party co-ordinator Jill Marr.

She revealed the total volunteer hours put in were 2,265 which costed at National Lottery rates was equivalent to £19,215 worth of paid work.

John East, the friends group chairman, described the working party’s contribution as ‘remarkable’.

Cllr Jim Smith, the council's environment boss, said: “I am delighted by this fantastic work by these volunteers who clearly care deeply about both Darwen and the cemetery.”

In her report to last month’s annual meeting of the group, Miss Marr revealed invading tree, shrubs and brambles had been cleared in part of the cemetery.

The report said rhododendron hedges near the Cross of Sacrifice had been trimmed, the laurel patch near section F reduced, paths upgraded, new tree saplings planted and gutters restored.

Miss Marr said new heather beds were being developed along with major works being planned for ‘Prickly Corner’.

Her report said work was proceeding on the cemetery’s First World War project and restoring stone steps on the Northern slope while the possibility of exploring the archaeology of the Church of England Chapel mound was being investigated.

The annual meeting agreed a new arrangement with the council for reduced grass cutting and maintenance by the borough paid for through a Good Friends agreement with Brent Stevenson.

Mr East said: “How remarkable that more than £20,000-worth of volunteer hours have been given by the group in one year.

“The cemetery has gone from a tried and neglected part of Darwen’s heritage to a well used and loved amenity."