Local campaigner Barry Nuttall has worked tirelessly for five years to get improvements made on the All Saints’ burial ground, at the back of Telford Close, Hightown, where 4,000 people, including many children, were laid to rest.

The 65-year-old had some success two years ago after Wakefield Council agreed to lay stones around some of the site to prevent cars driving over it and dog mess bins were also put up.

All it then needed was a sign to tell people what the site was. Now after years of broken promises, the council finally looks set to honour its agreement.

Mr Nuttall, who lives in Altofts, said: “I’m really pleased the Express helped get it sorted and I will feel a lot happier when the sign goes up.

“People who are walking around that area will know what it is and all I want is respect for those buried there, like at all other cemeteries.

“These people were the backbone of Castleford, hardworking people and children who didn’t have the medical support to look after them.

“It’s a shame it wasn’t done two or three years ago, things like should be sorted out quickly.”

Mr Nuttall started his campaign in February 2003 and soon discovered he had three generations of family buried there.

After being frustrated due to an apparent lack of council cash for the sign, he even offered to pay for it himself.

This week, a Wakefield Council spokesperson said: “The council very much appreciates the commitment Mr Nuttall has shown raising the profile of this site and helping us make it an area that can be used by the local community. We apologise for the length of time it has taken to get the signage recognition for the site but are now pleased to confirm that a sign will be put up by the end of May.”

Mr Nuttall added: “Around 80 per cent of the people buried there are children and I don’t mind children playing on the site because the youngsters who are buried there didn’t get the chance to play.”