NORTON Cemetery is to be closed at night for a trial period following an insurance claim from someone who fell over and reports of dog fouling.

Members of the town council have decided to lock the gates from sunset to sunrise from February 1 for three months.

The decision was made after a woman was paid an undisclosed amount by the town council after she tripped over paving slabs which were uneven due to tree roots.

Mayor Coun Ray King said dog fouling was also becoming a significant problem throughout Malton and Norton.

He said: “People are exercising their dogs and they are fouling in the area.

“We don’t think that’s acceptable. It’s a big issue.”

Councillors agreed to closing the cemetery along with new signs highlighting the opening times. Coun King said he was not aware of much public reaction to the decision but said he did not think many people were aware of the plans.

He said similar timings had been put in place in the past.