A DECISION to remove artificial flowers from graves in a graveyard in Walney has been criticised.

Denise Winlow, 70, who was born on Walney but now lives in Dalton, had noticed on two previous visits to a family grave with her husband that the silk flowers which she had laid had gone.

When it happened for a third time, she mentioned it to a person in the cemetery who said the church had been removing the flowers.

Mrs Winlow said: "I was just so angry that someone had dared to take flowers off a family grave and not let us know. How dare they do that?"

Lisa Warwick agreed: "I think it's disgusting. Some people can't get to their loved ones all the time. It's peace of mind that their grave looks nice and it shows you care."

Fay Johnson said: "Yes, because everyone is loaded with tons of money to buy fresh flowers every week. I don't think so."

Peter Green said: "What does it matter what you put on the graves as long as they look nice and not look as if no one bothers with them like a lot do up there."

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Carlisle explained: "The artificial flowers breached Churchyard Regulations and so were removed to the church for safe keeping and later collection by those who had laid them. Parochial Church Council members were also concerned that wire within the artificial flowers posed a health and safety risk for people who cut and strim the grass in the churchyard.

Some agreed with the decision.

Angela McIlvogue said: "Good! They get left there and look awful."

Hermes10 said: "Rules are there to be adhered to. There are always people who push the boundaries and think these rules do not apply to them. Barrow Cemetery should to something about the horrendous amount of tat that surrounds some graves. Worse than fly tipping."