A cemetery has been shut over safety fears.

The New Romney Cemetery in Church Road has been temporarily closed because the gate, which is the only access into the cemetery, is unsafe.

A statement has today been issued by Shepway District Council announcing the cemetery will be closed with immediate effect.

The closure has been put down to general wear and tear of the gate and the arches have been deemed “unstable and dangerous”.

The weekend's good weather forecast led the council to expect a high number of visitors to graves and memorials of loved ones.

A statement read: "We are trying to share this information as widely as we can so anyone due to visit the cemetery this weekend does not have a disappointing trip.

"There is only one entrance to the cemetery via a gate which has become unstable and is dangerous. We have tried to make the gate safe today but have not been able to do so.

"We are sorry to have taken this action. We are working to resolve the situation as soon as we can."

The council is exploring two options; repairing the gate or providing a temporary entrance.

The authority says it would like to open the cemetery again as soon as possible.

A long term fix is also being investigated.

There will be updates via the council's social media channels providing details of how work is progressing.