Beer festival goers have been branded 'disgusting' after being pictured sitting on cemetery gravestones and using them as tables while quaffing pints.
Residents were shocked by the behaviour of many attendees at the Norton Beer Festival this weekend - which was held at the Grade 1 listed church of St Mary the Virgin in Norton Village, near Stockton-on-Tees.
Seething church goers took to social media to label the antics 'disrespectful' and 'appalling' - after guests set up chairs around headstones and placed drinks and belongings atop of them.
Others were seen swigging from cans and smoking on the burial site - which includes the Grade Two listed Norton Memorial Cross, dedicated to villagers killed in both world wars.
Others said the real ale fans would be 'devastated' if it was their families' final resting places that were being used as furniture.
Residents were shocked by the behaviour of several attendees at the Norton Beer Festival this weekend - which was held at the Grade 1 listed church of St Mary the Virgin in Norton Village, near Stockton-on-Tees
Seething church goers took to social media to label the antics 'disrespectful' and 'appalling' - after guests set up chairs around headstones and placed drinks and belongings atop of them
Attendees were seen swigging from cans and smoking on the burial site, enraging church goers and locals
Beer festival goers in Norton down cans of ale in a cemetery at event held in church
Festival attendees set up chairs and drink beers next to a monument dedicated to villagers who died in World Wars One and Two
Church goers said the real ale fans would be 'devastated' if it was their families' final resting places that were being used as furniture
One resident said: 'Why couldn't they sit on the green, which is just outside, instead of on graves?
'I think it's appalling. Would they think it ok if it was young adults? What a total lack of respect for the deceased and their families.'
Another commenter said: 'Fair enough holding a beer festival but come on, don't have it centred around the cemetery.
'There's enough space around Norton for people to meet friends and have a few drinks without needing to sit on graves.'
The event, which returned after a two-and-a-half year absence, is hosted by the church in conjunction with The Three Brothers Brewing Company.
The three-day celebration is split between the car park where there is a mobile bar, food stalls and toilets, and the main festival inside the church
Running straight through the middle of the festival pitch is a
