An employee who failed to open cemetery gates in Medway on Christmas Day has been disciplined.

Mourners were left distraught after arriving to visit graves of loved ones in Chatham to find they were locked out. Some resorted to breaking padlocks off gates and scaling fences in order to get access.

Chatham Central councillor Vince Maple, who took the matter up with the contractor Medway Norse at the time, also raised the issue at Thursday’s council meeting.

In a written question, the Labour group leader said: “Christmas Day is a day which many people understandably think of their loved ones who are no longer with them.

“Cemeteries across Medway, including the one in my ward, not being opened was totally unacceptable.”

Cllr Rupert Turpin, who is in charge of business, apologised for the failure: “A member of staff did not carry out his duties. The gates should have been opened at 9am and as soon as were alerted somebody else was sent to open the gates.

"By between 10am and 10.30am the gates were open.

“It is a regrettable and isolated incident and the person involved has been disciplined.”