TAVISTOCK's overgrown and 'unkempt' parish churchyard has sparked an attack on the town council, which is accused of neglecting one of the focal points of the town centre.

The chairman of the Friends of St Eustachius Church has written to the council claiming its neglect of the area is creating an 'unkempt' vista in the town.

Ian Jenkins expressed 'concern and regret' at the state of the churchyard in the run-up to the jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.

Mr Jenkins wrote: 'To have allowed the grounds to have deteriorated to such an unkempt state, despite appeals by the vicar, is an extremely poor demonstration of the standard of service to the community which can be expected by the residents of the town.

'Furthermore, the position of the church and grounds in the town centre formed a natural focal point for residents and visitors alike throughout the weekend, with many events being held in Bedford Square.'

Mr Jenkins said parishioners finally took matters into their own hands and undertook grounds maintenance at the church, in an effort to smarten the churchyard's appearance.

'I look to officials and councillors to ensure a better delivery of service provision in future — and not rely on individuals with the interests of Tavistock at heart to compensate for such overt deficiencies,' said Mr Jenkins.

Roger Howard, Tavistock's town clerk, said the council had been faced with a combination of problems which led to the overgrown grass at the churchyard.

Col Howard said: 'It's been very wet. We just have not got the manpower to cope with all the acres we have now got to cut and what few men we have were on higher priority tasks.'

He said the council had taken on various pieces of land in recent years, such as the play area at Courtlands, which has put pressure on works staff.

Col Howard said the council paid St Andrew's at Whitchurch £475 a year to cut their own grass and a similar offer would be made to St Eustachius.

He said: 'We will now actively explore other ways of cutting the grassland we have under our control as quite clearly we can't manage at present.'

Col Howard said he was even thinking of suggesting the council installs sheep in some areas, such as Tavistock Cemetery.

'They do it in a lot of country churchyards. It's a case of lateral thinking — and it's very green,' said Col Howard.

Prebendary John Rawlings, vicar of Tavistock, said: 'I understand the council is having problems, but it was rather a shame the churchyard looked like it did before a big occasion like the jubilee — it did give a bad impression.'

Mr Rawlings said he would be happy to discuss alternative grounds maintenance with the council.

'I would like the churchyard to look well-kept and cared for because for people who don't know the situation, it gives a bad impression.

'If we were given the opportunity to organise maintenance with a contractor, we would be happy to investigate it,' he said.