The length of grass in a Suffolk churchyard has left visitors "upset" as they are unable to leave flowers at their loved ones' graves.

Karen Elliott's father has been buried at Kettleburgh Churchyard for the last 13 years, and every year, when the family visit the grave, the grass is too long for them to properly pay their respects.

The grass has overgrown so much that the headstones are only just visible.

Her brother-in-law tries to get down as and when he can to clean up around the grave, but due to living in Trimley St Martin, it is a long way to go to cut back the grass regularly.

East Anglian Daily Times: The grass being the same height as a graves. Credit: Karen ElliottThe grass being the same height as a graves. Credit: Karen Elliott (Image: Karen Elliott)

She said: "It's upsetting. People think it's more important to let the grass grow for wildlife, which yes it is, but obviously that has been put over the top of people wanting to visit their relatives' graves and put flowers on.

"My sister went on Father's Day and put a flower down at the grave, but no one will see it because of the overgrown grass."

Her mum is now also buried at the churchyard, meaning there is more reason to visit.

East Anglian Daily Times: The length of the grass around the graves that are at the church. Credit: Karen ElliottThe length of the grass around the graves that are at the church. Credit: Karen Elliott (Image: Karen Elliott)

Ketlleburgh churchwarden Persephone Booth said: "The church does not have the money and resources to cut the grass every week.

"Maintenance of the church yard is done on a voluntary basis by members of the village, and we aim to strim the grass and have a good tidy up about twice a year.

"My fellow churchwarden has been doing churchyard maintenance for over 30 years.

East Anglian Daily Times: The wildlife at the church in the same area as the graves. Credit: John BaterThe wildlife at the church in the same area as the graves. Credit: John Bater (Image: John Bater)

"We have been given a grant towards maintenance the last couple of years, but this has now been withdrawn."

The churchwardens have also said the weather has caused the grass to grow much longer than normal, and due to taking part in the No Mow May campaign, the grass has grown so long it is "proving to be a problem to cut now".

They have also encouraged family and friends to maintain the graves of loved ones when they can.