WITNEY Town Council will look into using a swipe card system or keypad in a bid to stop vandals driving over graves.

The council locked the gates at Tower Hill Cemetery in March and reinstated a system of opening them only by appointment.

The cemetery had been open to all drivers between 9am and 4pm on weekdays and between 11am and 1pm every first and third Saturday of the month.

But the decision angered disabled people and the elderly, who said it would make it harder to see the graves of their loved ones.

Now councillors at a leisure and recreation committee meeting have asked officers to investigate installing a swipe card system or keypads.

Councillor Chrissie Curry said: “The rules were put in place when the council took over the cemetery from the district council in 1974.

“We had to close it to vehicles because of joy riding and damage. We now have to protect the cemetery for the good of everyone. We cannot have vehicles driving over babies’ graves. I think it is time to put an end to that.”

Mayor Pete Dorward said: “The idea of a self-opening and closing system is quite appealing.

“What about a swipe system? Those go out on a fairly limited basis, so you can keep tabs and if necessary they can be recalled.”