THE grieving family of Farnworth teenager Carla Bate are waiting to hear if an order to remove toys and other tributes from her grave has been overturned by the Church of England.

Michaela Bate, aged 39, of Primrose Avenue, Farnworth, said she was never told about the rules governing the graveyard where her daughter Carla's ashes are buried.

If the appeal fails, she has said she may consider exhuming her daughter's ashes from St John the Evangelist, in Church Street, Farnworth.

Carla was killed by a drink-driver who ploughed into her and a friend at Longcauseway, Farnworth, in 2004.

The Reverend Cherry Vann, rector of the church, said she acted following complaints.

In a letter to Mrs Bate, she said: "Sadly, what some people see as being bright and happy and attractive, others see as untidy and 'over the top'."

Mrs Bate said: "We don't know how long it's going to take but we've kept Carla's grave as it was."