A team of 30 volunteers tackled broken gravestones, dumped rubbish and brambles which had grown up to 10 feet high at St John’s Methodist Church this week.

The St Aiden’s Walk churchyard fell into disrepair in recent years after a cash shortage and lack of church members made it impossible to maintain.

Neighbouring gardens had become swamped by weeds as the church grounds became a danger to children playing.

Despite appeals to Wakefield Council for help the authority was unable to intervene as the property was not under the jurisdiction of the Church of England.

But after the Rev Kay Alberg asked the community for help, a clear up operation was launched by Coun Graham Jesty to make sure the churchyard could be enjoyed again by parishioners.

Coun Jesty thanked volunteers from Wakefield’s 299 Parachute Squadron, who had a special reason for getting involved.

He said: “There are a few servicemen buried in the graveyard so we wanted to put the churchyard back together as best we could and make it look decent again.”

Wakefield Conservative candidate Alex Story also volunteered on the project, which was given a helping hand from businesses HSS Hire and Spear and Jackson, who lent tools and equipment free of charge.

Asda donated a £50 voucher to keep the hard-working team fully fuelled with bacon and egg sandwiches.

Mr Story said: “By cleaning up the graveyard, we want to bring pride in our neighbourhoods back on the agenda.”