UNDER-FIRE councillors have called a temporary halt to controversial plans to strip tributes from graves in a local cemetery.

Councillors in Whitchurch voted to adjourn a special meeting, which had been called to discuss the town cemetery row, for six months pending the findings of a steering committee.

There has been uproar in the town after notices were posted on grave plots, telling residents that toys and flowers would be removed if the tributes did not meet strict cemetery rules.

Speaking on behalf of almost 30 residents who turned out at Monday's meeting, Viv Longmate, who lost her daughter Vicky nine years ago, said: "Does the council realise just how many people it has offended since the notices were put on the graves?

"The cemetery is for the people of Whitchurch to be laid to rest in peace and relatives should be able to show their love in any way they wish. To take away that right is heartless."

Cllr Norman Taylor, Whitchurch mayor and town council chairman, has provoked anger after he said local couple Alison and Paul Glendon were "flaunting their grief" by decorating the grave of their 10-year-old son Paul with toys and flowers which he described as "clobber".

Cllr Taylor, who apologised on several occasions for his comments, told the meeting: "All of the Whitchurch town councillors are upset by any distress we may have caused to any users of the cemetery."

Talking about the notice flags that were hammered into the graves to inform people they were contravening cemetery rules, he added: "I regret the way that was done. In hindsight it was insensitive and we would rather it had been done in a different way."

Mrs Glendon, who was at the meeting with her husband, asked how residents could go about placing a vote of no confidence in the council.

The cemetery row will be discussed at another public meeting tonight.

This has been organised by Mr and Mrs Glendon and will take place at Whitchurch Sports and Social Club at 7.30pm.

The steering committee which will look at the issue will consist of three council representatives and three local residents who have been affected by the dispute.