THE churchyard at a Witney church has become an “eyesore”, town councillors were told.

James Mills, churchwarden at St Mary’s in Church Green and a former mayor of Witney, said at a town council meeting last week that the authority should have accepted responsibility for the upkeep and repair of the churchyard.

Earlier this year, the council turned down a request to pay for £3,800 repairs to the churchyard wall after it was damaged by a vehicle, instead offering a £1,000 contribution to cover the insurance excess.

But Mr Mills said the town council should have covered the entire cost as he believes it is responsible for maintenance.

He said the churchyard had now become an eyesore.

The town council took on some responsibilities of the old Urban District Council when local government was reorganised in 1972.

Mr Mills believes responsibility for the churchyard was transferred to the town council as part of that restructuring.

The council disagrees.