Coffins could be washed out of a west Cumbrian graveyard during the next floods, unless urgent action is taken a public meeting has heard.

St Peter’s Churchyard at Camerton, beside the River Derwent, lost a strip of churchyard about 20 yards wide in the 2009 floods, washing away graves. Rock defences costing £100,000 were installed but they were damaged in 2015’s flooding. Repairs could cost up to £50,000 and the church’s insurer will only pay a small percentage.

Joe Sandwith, who has three generations of ancestors buried in the churchyard, said that because the river had been rerouted in 2015, water now reached the churchyard bank faster.

He added: “The next flood there’s going to be coffins floating down the river.”

One resident said she was putting off having her late husband’s ashes interred for fear they could be disturbed.

But Matt Crump, operations manager for the Environment Agency, said the organisation was not allowed to use its Government funding to protect the churchyard and repairs were a matter for the church.

Camerton vicar the Rev Ian Grainger said after the meeting that the church was in talks with the insurance company and was trying to get the firm that installed the defences to assess the damage.

Archdeacon the Ven Dr Richard Pratt said insurance companies were prioritising flood repairs to homes, businesses and roads. He added: “Ian and the insurers are doing their best. They’re treating it with the level of priority I think most people would appreciate is right.”

He added that the Diocese of Carlisle could provide advice and moral support but not funding.

Anyone with concerns is invited to speak to Mr Grainger or Dr Pratt. Fundraising ideas can be passed to churchwarden Rob Steele at 9A Low Seaton.