Family members who visit relatives' graves at Earlham cemetery in Norwich are having to cut short their stay because the toilets are closed, it was claimed today.

Patricia Crisp daily visits the grave of her son Sam Crisp, 21, from Templemere, off Sprowston Road, who died when his cycle was in collision with a white Vauxhall Corsa close to his home on May 3.

But Mrs Crisp said her visits are cut short because of the lack of toilets.

A spokesman for Norwich City Council said the toilets were closed due to vandalism and anti-social behaviour but the authority was looking at the possibility of reopening them.

Mrs Crisp said: 'If I had my choice I would love to sit with Sam all day. It really hit home when my nephew, who is serving in Afghanistan with the Royal Anglians, his wife and young daughter travelled for three and a half hours from his base in Surrey to come and lay flowers and pay his respect but his visit was cut short as his wife needed to use the toilet. This was the only day he could visit and this made what was a tiring, difficult day worse.

'Sam's family and friends aren't the only people who go and sit with their loved ones during the day. But all of us are having to suffer as the toilets are currently being used as a storage facility.'

A spokesman for the council said it was extremely disappointing that the toilets were closed due to selfish acts of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

She added: 'Unfortunately the behaviour of a few disruptive individuals is inconveniencing those people who visit the cemetery and would use the facilities respectfully.

'We are investigating the possibility of refurbishing the toilets and how we would manage security if they were reopened, but there are no firm plans at this time.'

Police have renewed appeals about the collision, which happened at about 5.15pm in Sprowston Road, close to the junction with Templemere.

Any witnesses should contact investigating officer PC Steve Crowley at Wymondham Roads Policing Unit on 101.