MP Sir George Young has spoken in support of a grieving couple at the centre of a cemetery row.

Alison and Paul Glendon are fighting Whitchurch Town Council's order to remove toys and flowers from the grave of their 10-year-old son Paul, who died from cancer three years ago.

Sir George has stepped into the controversy after The Gazette revealed how the couple had found a flag hammered into the grave saying they were breaking cemetery rules.

Whitchurch mayor Norman Taylor, who is also chairman of the town council, said the family are "flaunting their grief" by decorating the grave with "clobber".

But Sir George - who visited Paul's grave on Friday - has sided with the heartbroken parents.

He said: "I think anybody who has lost a child deserves sympathy. Personally, I would not ask the family to remove the mementos.

"I do not think they are intrusive. The plot is in the corner of the graveyard and you have to get quite close before you notice the decoration."

The North West Hampshire MP said he would be writing to Mr Taylor to suggest a meeting between the family and council members which he hopes, "with goodwill", would result in a happy solution.

Sir George added: "I think it's important to respect people's grief and to understand that the family have suffered a devastating blow."

Alison, 31, of Berehill Close, Whitchurch, said: "I'm really pleased our local MP has got involved and shown his support.

"The whole issue is very distressing at the moment and I'm having sleepless nights and feeling sick because I'm so upset."

However, while Sir George is supporting the couple's tributes to their son, many Whitchurch town councillors are backing their mayor's tough stance on the issue.

When The Gazette contacted Councillor Irene Clark for her views, she responded angrily, shouting down the telephone: "What's your problem?"

She then said she supported the mayor and felt the graveside tributes were "over the top, offensive and hurtful" to other people who use the cemetery.

She put the phone down after refusing to discuss the issue further because she said she wanted to eat her lunch.

Before The Gazette spoke to Mrs Clark, her husband Ken, also a councillor, said he didn't agree with the harsh words spoken by the mayor, but added that if he had anybody buried at the cemetery, he would be offended by the couple's tributes.

Former town mayor Gill Nethercott refused to comment on Mr Taylor's "flaunting grief" viewpoint, but said: "The family are making it worse for themselves by carrying this on and continuing to keep their son in their memory for so long.

"The path has been set and I don't think there's any room for compromise."

Cllr Iris Dykes said she wasn't willing to comment on the controversy, but then added: "I support the mayor which is why I came on the council."

Her husband, Cllr Roy Dykes, said he agreed that the cemetery regulations should be enforced.

Referring to Mr Taylor's comments, he added: "I don't believe they are flaunting their grief - his comments were a bit over the top."

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