A DEVASTATED mother is demanding an apology after finding a massive pile of earth dumped on her daughter's grave by cemetery workers.

Florence Hutchinson (75) visits Radcliffe Cemetery every week to tend the grave of her daughter, Susan Jayne Columan.

When she arrived at the cemetery with Susan's twin brother, Alan, on Saturday morning, they were shocked to find a three-feet-high pile of earth on the grave.

Cemetery workers had dug a hole in preparation for a new burial and piled all the soil on top of Susan's grave. Ornaments, photographs and plants had been moved behind the headstone to make way for the earth.

Mrs Hutchinson, of Harrogate Square, Starling, said: "I was literally rooted to the spot when I saw it. I couldn't move because I was in shock. I can't believe that someone would do this. We are devastated. I could understand if it was an old grave which wasn't looked after, but I visit every week and always make sure that it looks nice.

"I am the head of the family and I have had to hold back my feelings since Susan died and stay strong for my family. This has just brought everything back for me. It's terrible."

Mrs Hutchinson and her family are now calling for answers and want an apology from cemetery workers or Bury Council.

The great-grandmother said: "I think it's very insensitive to do something like this. It's desecrating the grave. I am sure they could have found somewhere else to put the earth. I have never heard of anything like it before. I want to know why it has happened and who is responsible. I will still visit the grave each week, and I would go every day if I could. I'm hoping that there will be a card or something with an apology on the grave when I get there."

Mrs Hutchinson's daughter died at the age of 46 after suffering a stroke at her home in Hawthorn Avenue, Radcliffe, in March 2005. She left two children, Nicola Eser (now 23), and Daniel Jarofz (20).

Neil Long, Bury Council's assistant director of leisure services, said: "Across the country it is standard practice that soil excavated from a grave needed for a funeral has to be placed on the adjacent graves. This procedure is in line with national health and safety advice. Boards are placed over the grave to protect the grave and headstone. If there are any items or plants on the grave they are put in a safe place. After the funeral the grave is reinstated to the same standard.

"This happens for every funeral, and the process lasts for two to three days. Every grave owner receives an information pack that details this, when they buy a plot.

"We do of course, try to ensure as little disruption as possible is caused throughout the process. I am sorry for any upset this may have caused, but this is a necessary procedure."