Dorion Khan, from Fieldhead Estate, Birstall, tended his wife Mussarat's grave at Batley Cemetery on Friday evening.

But when he returned to visit on Saturday morning, he found the wooden fencing had been thrown around and there were footprints in the soil.

Dorion's brother Garry Khan said Mussarat died in November and the family was still coming to terms with their loss.

And the couple's 12-year-old son, Hussain, died just two months earlier and is buried just a few graves down from his mother.

"He had still not got over his son dying when he lost his wife, and now this," said Garry.

"It is just so upsetting for the whole family. Who would do such a thing? You just don't expect to visit someone's grave and find it like this."

A spokeswoman for Kirklees Council said the family had made them aware of the damage, but it seemed to be an isolated incident.

She said there was CCTV in the cemetery to monitor anti-social behaviour.

As reported in last week's News, residents in Cross Bank are petitioning the council to move the cemetery gates to stop youths using it as a midnight rave den.

More than 70 residents have signed the petition, claiming a gang of 12 to 16-year-olds go to the cemetery at night, play loud music, drink and take drugs.

Batley's Neighbourhood Policing Team is monitoring the area to crack down on anti-social behaviour.