Ayr families are not allowed to be at loved ones' graves when they are exhumed

Council bosses have told how the cemetery will be a no-go zone during exhumations

Grieving daughter Danielle wants to be there when her dad is exhumed

A grieving daughter has been told she cannot be by her dad’s graveside when his body is exhumed.

Danielle Burns, 31, from Ayr, was left stunned when she was told her dad’s final resting place will become a construction site after she begged council officers to be present during the painstaking works.

Her dad Joseph was buried there in 2019 after he died suddenly aged fifty-eight.

Council bosses have told Ayr Cemetery families that they will not be able to be anywhere near the site when exhumations take place next month.

In the latest heart-breaking update council chiefs have revealed that gravesides will become a construction site - with graves sealed off.

Bosses say the site will be a no-go zone for mourners due to the machinery being used and will be managed under construction regulations.

Bodies are set to be removed from graves and sent to a facility in Prestwick.

Speaking by her dad’s grave, Danielle told Ayrshire Live: “I want to be there when they take my dad out, I want to make sure that everything is done properly.

"I can’t trust the council after everything that has happened here.

“I couldn’t believe their response when I asked, they just shot me down and said, ‘no you cannot be there, it will be a working site.’

"How can you call a cemetery a working site, that’s where my dad was laid to rest.

“It doesn’t feel like the council understands what we are going through - the way I was spoken to wasn’t appropriate.”

Danielle is dreading June when work is set to start with her dad’s birthday, the anniversary of his death and Father’s Day.

Danielle’s brother John Paul Burns, 29, says his family have visions of a “body floating in the water” as he hit out at the council over their handling of the crisis.

Families have vowed to fight the council over the graves scandal

John Paul said: “My sister and I lost my dad very suddenly and unexpectedly - he was only fifty-eight.

"Now, we have visions of his body floating in water in whatever stage of decomposition it might be.

“Even when it rains, you get anxiety just thinking of the vault filling up even more. Nobody should have to go through this.”

John Paul has joined mourners in taking a stand against South Ayrshire Council over "failings".

He added: “We want accountability and a reasonable, efficient solution to this problem.

"The council have continuously failed us from the get-go, enough is enough. If they will not protect the dignity of our dead, then we will.”

A spokesperson for South Ayrshire Council said: “When the works start, the area will be securely fenced off and will not be accessible. The area of work will be managed under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

"The purpose of the regulations is to make sure construction projects are safe to build, use and maintain. The appointed contractor will manage the security of the site.

“The works will entail the use of plant and machinery and for this reason, it is not considered safe for members of the public to be present.”

Meanwhile, Ayrshire Live understands relatives are to receive individual letters from new council leader, Martin Dowey, within days which will outline a fresh approach to the authority's handling of the crisis.

Specialist bereavement counselling will be offered to all families as part of efforts to provide "all support we can in the circumstances".