Cemeteries across the borough with poor pathways will receive urgent repair works as commemorative events are held to mark the centenary of World War I, this year.

Close to half a million pounds (£443,646) will be ploughed into eight of Hounslow's burial sites to resurface poor paths by priority for August and September, ahead of the expected rise in visitors, particularly elderly, to war graves of servicemen and servicewomen.

The decision was made by Theo Dennison, lead member for finance and citizen engagement, to address the increasing number of complaints received by Carillion and the council, and to allow a safe and accessible environment for those who wish to pay their respects.

In October last year, angry residents urged the council to restore dignity to a number of local cemeteries including; Borough Cemetery, Hounslow Cemetery and Feltham Cemetery, which were in a poor state due to bad maintenance and dangerous deep potholes.

These are three of the eight named for urgent improvement.

Monday, August 4, will mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, which continued until November 11, 1918, Armistice Day.

The proposal includes the highest priority works to be completed before August 4, and the remaining works to be finished ahead of Remembrance Day.

A number of events will take place throughout the borough with the unveiling of a new war memorial on August 2, at Holy Trinity Church in Hounslow, a First World War exhibition on August 4, followed by laying of the First World War wreath by Mayor Corinna Smart on November 9, at Holy Trinity Church and on November 11, at the Civic Centre.

Councillor Sachin Gupta, cabinet member for public health and leisure, said: “Many people will be marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War by visiting our War Graves, to remember the sacrifice of those who died, and honour their memories.

“We want to make sure people are able to pay their respects, and so surveyed all our cemeteries to identify where works may have been needed.

"This identified these eight sites, and we have now secured the necessary funding to carry out the works, which will be completed in the next few months.”

A survey conducted in January this year identified parks and open spaces and cemeteries as places in need of urgent works.

The eight cemeteries to receive urgent upgrade works:

Bedfont Cemetery

Chiswick New Cemetery

Chiswick Old Burial Ground

Feltham Cemetery

Hatton Cemetery

St Leonards Churchyard

Borough Cemetery

Hounslow Cemetery