The MP for the Maldon district visited Heybridge Cemetery this weekend to speak to residents who have helped to restore it.

Conservative MP John Whittingdale met members of the Friends of Heybridge Cemetery, who have worked together as a group to restore and maintain the site on Goldhanger Road since October 2018.

Mr Whittingdale attended a meeting of the group and planted a Penny Lane climbing rose by the pergola on the site.

He said: "The Friends of Heybridge cemetery do a terrific job.

"They have helped restore the beautiful chapel building there, which was used for small services during the Covid lockdown, and they work hard to maintain the cemetery which offers a tranquil spot for the benefit of local residents and also those who have family members interred there.

"I look forward to seeing the new roses growing up and adding to the beauty of this special place."

The Friends of Heybridge Cemetery, which has 45 members, is the only Essex member of the National Federation of Cemetery Friends.

Since its inauguration, members have planted hundreds of bulbs, cleaned and repainted the chapel and helped families to maintain their loved ones' graves.