RESIDENTS are to lobby Whitchurch Town Council to set up a permanent steering group to run the town's cemetery.

The council agreed at an emergency meeting on Monday night to set up the steering group for six months after public outrage over its handling of a ban that forbids more than one tribute per grave.

But, at a packed public meeting on Wednesday night, it was agreed by residents that recommendations would be put before the council to make the steering group permanent.

The group will consist of one council representative, Roy Dykes, three Whitchurch residents and three individuals affected by the dispute.

More than 100 people attended the meeting at the sports and social club, which was organised by Alison and Paul Glendon.

It is their plight which sparked the public controversy after The Gazette revealed how they were told to remove toys and flowers from their 10-year-old son's grave. Other mourners were also told to remove tributes.

Phillippa Walther-Caine, who chaired the public meeting, said democracy was not happening in Whitchurch and, referring to Councillor Norman Taylor, added: "I do wonder if the mayor has got himself into a corner he does not know how to get out of."

One town councillor was present at the meeting, Therese Coffey, who said she was there as a Whitchurch resident to listen to what was being said.

Speaking after the meeting, Alison Glendon - who will be one of the steering committee members - said: "Any questions put to us will always go back to the town people before we make a decision. We're not being rail-roaded into anything."

The public meeting's discussions will be discussed at a meeting of Whitchurch Town Council on Monday.