A MOTHER has accused parish councillors of 'desecrating' her son's grave by removing flowers and ornaments from it.

Sue Matthews, 55, of Penn, was horrified when Hughenden Parish Council sent a letter warning that it would take away items which had not been removed by July 30.

The council says all relatives are aware of the cemetery's rules when they choose their plots and it is about time the rules were strictly enforced.

Mrs Matthews, whose son Kirby died nine years ago aged 21, said compassion for the bereaved should come before keeping maintenance costs down.

She said: "They said they didn't want flowers or flower pots on the graves.

"Stand-up stones are not allowed either and the only provision they make is for one plant to be placed in a sunken pot on the flat grave stones. It's not just me but everyone who will be upset."

Mrs Matthews said many relatives who have moved out of the area will be shocked to find that their loved one's graves at the cemetery in Cryers Hill, Hughenden, may have been altered.

"They are sending out letters to the last known address but people move on. They say people know the rules but how can grief-stricken people be expected to question whether they can take flowers to the graves of their loved-ones? It's an absolute disgrace."

She added that the recently bereaved and parents of children will be especially affected if they cannot lay teddies and flowers on graves.

Lynne Turner, clerk of the parish council, said regulations have been in place since 1961 and the problem was getting out of hand.

"The rules are clear and if they don't like the rules they shouldn't have chosen the burial ground.

"We don't want to upset people and will help where we can but we have no choice. Rules have to be upheld and it's no different in graveyards," she said.

Mrs Turner said the rules are being enforced to meet health and safety regulations for maintenance workers at the cemetery, and to keep the graveyard tidy. She said exceptions would be made for special occasions like Christmas and anniversaries.