Vandalised water pipes and overgrown grass have prompted complaints over the state of a cemetery.

A spokesman for Eastbourne Borough Council admitted the condition of Ocklynge cemetery, Willingdon Road, Eastbourne, was below standard but said steps were being taken to remedy the situation.

Council bosses blamed vandals for damaging the water system and said police and street wardens would be keeping a closer eye on the cemetery.

A statement from the council said: "In the last 12 months Eastbourne's cemeteries and crematorium have been subject to a best-value review in order to assess the most appropriate and cost effective ways of delivering the service.

"We will continue to review the service to ensure that it meets the standards people expect."

Quotes were being taken to install a more robust watering system and grass cutting was expected to start again this week.

The complaints come after vandals desecrated more than 20 graves in October last year, pulling down headstones and trampling flowers.

An Eastbourne resident, who only wished to be identified as Billy, said: "I visit my wife's grave almost every day. You look at the long grass and you feel like cutting it yourself.

"I have seen quite a few cemetery workers but the grass always looks long.

"I talked to a few of the cemetery blokes about it but they told me it was down to a contractor to cut the grass. I was lucky my wife's grave hasn't been vandalised but you worry because it would be so upsetting."