A CHURCH has defended its policy on grave decorations after warning families to remove any items deemed inappropriate.

Notices have been posted on graves at the Parish of St Michael with St Bartholomew, in Great Lever, listing the decorations that will be removed from the churchyard if families do not take them away themselves.

They include any Armed Forces crests, any stones in the shape of a heart, and anything made of plastic or other synthetic materials - other than Remembrance poppies.

Dennis Roocroft, who was made aware of the notices by a friend visiting the church, said he had "never heard of anything like it."

The 69-year-old, of St Kilda Avenue, Kearsley, said: "A friend of mine had been down to the cemetery to visit his stepson's grave and found this letter on the headstone.

"It was also on a number of other headstones. I have never heard of anything like it happening before.

"The things that they are talking about on this letter seem like the normal things that you would find at any cemetery.

"I would think it should be up to the families to decide how they want the graves to look, as long as it is within reason."

In the letter, The Rev Bob Horrocks said: "We are required to ensure these regulations are followed and would be grateful if families could remove any decoration which doesn't comply with these statutory regulations.

"It is our intention to remove any remaining elements eight weeks from the date of this notice whereupon they will be kept for three months before disposal if unclaimed.

"However, it would be preferable if the owners were to remove them themselves before then."

A spokesman for the Church of England Diocese of Manchester added: "Visiting and tending to graves is an important part of the grieving process for families.

"Churchyards are regulated to create a harmonious and peaceful environment for the good of everyone.

"Parish clergy have some authority to allow the erection of memorials in a churchyard, but these must comply with diocesan regulations, which may be different from what is allowed in a municipal cemetery."