Undergrowth has been cleared from a village cemetery near Oswestry which was the scene of a serious sexual assault on a pensioner tending a grave.

Council workers cleared dense undergrowth from the cemetery in Hengoed last week following two assaults on women in the area this year.

An elderly woman was sexually assaulted as she tended a grave at the cemetery on July 23. It followed a sexual assault on a woman in her 30s as she walked along a country lane between Gobowen and Hengoed on April 6.

Following a public meeting with police, residents called for action.

Councillor David Lloyd, who represents Selattyn and Gobowen on the unitary council, today praised Shropshire Council for its speedy response.

He said: “In addition to increased levels of policing, the well attended meeting also wanted the removal of dense undergrowth which they claimed gave a ‘sinister’ appearance to the old cemetery.

“I can report the first stage of safety-proofing the cemetery has been undertaken. This means the whole of the area can be observed. In addition it means a number of headstones, including a war grave, can now be visited without having to fight through dense undergrowth.”

Wednesday’s meeting of Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council will receive a report on further possible action.

Simon Hoare, 19, of Berwyn View, Ellesmere, has admitted two sexual offences following the attack on April 6 and is awaiting sentence.

Haydyn Mellor, 21, of no fixed abode, has been charged with two counts of rape and stealing a purse on July 23. He is due at Shrewsbury Crown Court on September 28.