FAMILIES are being urged to collect any personal items from family graves before general maintenance work is carried out.

Copeland Borough Council will shortly begin maintenance work on cemeteries throughout the borough on February 15 and will include the removal of Christmas wreaths and decorations.

Families are being asked to remove any decorations they would like to keep before the work starts.

Councillor David Banks, portfolio holder for customers and communities, said: "It is important that wreaths and decorations are removed so that our teams can maintain the grounds and prepare them for changes in the weather."