A furious dad has slammed a council’s “disgusting” lack of respect after finding tyre tracks across his brother’s grave.

Paul Daniel visited Sittingbourne Cemetery to mark what would have been his sibling’s birthday.

But the Deal resident was left fuming after discovering up to four graves had been damaged as workers needed to access another plot at the site.

Swale Borough Council (SBC), which manages the cemetery, has issued an apology and says it has started investigating the issue.

Mr Daniel’s brother, Mark, lived in Sittingbourne but died in December 1996 after battling various health problems.

“The tracks are disgusting and everyone I’ve shown the photos to has been shocked,” said Mr Daniel, 59.

“It’s not just Mark’s grave - there are three or four others with tyre tracks on them as well.

“It’s just not something you want to see when you’re going to pay your respects."

Mr Daniel, who works as a postman, believes the tracks were left by a mini digger or similar vehicle.

After discovering the damage on February 8, he shared the photos with his sister, who contacted SBC.

Mr Daniel also lodged a formal complaint and received an apology the following day.

In an email, the council’s burial officer said workers needed to get to another grave nearby.

"I am sorry for the condition the plot has been left in,” she said.

“Unfortunately, our contractors needed to access another grave plot to reopen for burial.

“I can appreciate the lawn areas around the grave have been damaged.

“I have requested that the areas are to be repaired by returfing and grass seeding."

However, Mr Daniel remains upset by the council’s handling of the issue.

"I thought they would have rushed out and tidied it up once they got the emails and the photos, but they didn’t,” he said.

"These people might not be here anymore, but their graves deserve respect. It’s shocking.

“You’d like to think people would have a bit more care when they’re working in a cemetery."

Mr Daniel, who lives in Trafalgar Drive with his partner and son, says he hopes speaking out will prompt the council to take greater care in future.

“I think most people would agree with me that they shouldn’t be driving vehicles over people’s graves,” he added.

“From the roadway, it’s only about a 15-second walk (to the other grave), so they didn’t need to drive over people’s graves at all - it’s just disrespectful.”

In a statement, a spokesman for SBC said: “Our contractors often need to use larger equipment to dig new graves as part of the regular maintenance and operation of the cemeteries in Swale.

“Occasionally, especially in wet weather, this can lead to tracks forming in the grass around the graves and we sincerely apologise for any upset this has caused.

“We try to avoid this where possible and will always work to return the graves back to their original condition by seeding or replacing the grass.

“After receiving the report on Sunday, February 9 we began the process of investigating and rectifying the issue.”