A MOURNER has expressed her anger after a church threw away plastic flowers on her mother's grave.

Lynda Annis said she feels like St Mary's Church at Elmley Castle has run roughshod over her mother's grave after they removed plastic flowers from the gravestone.

She claimed the flowers had decorated the gravestone for over nine months and was not told that the flowers would be thrown away. 

The flowers were removed nearly three days after the anniversary of the death of her mother, Cynthia Mason.

"I feel like they have just run roughshod over my mother's grave," she said.

"I was so angry.

"The arrangement I got for my mother's grave cost £40, and the money does not come into it, but if I had known, I would have taken it away and put it in my garden.

"I made a sentimental feature, but now it's all gone.

"I was absolutely infuriated - I was so angry. I had come home, and my Dad lives with me, and he could not believe what had happened."

The Revd Katryn Leclezio, vicar at Elmley Castle, said the church aims to be completely plastic-free, and there has been a no-plastic flower rule there for many years. 

She added: "We are sorry about any upset caused by our churchyard rules, which have been in place for many years and do not allow any artificial flowers on graves.

"Although we have allowed these flowers, particularly at Christmas, which we know is a difficult time for many, we are very keen to ensure that our churchyard is as environmentally friendly as possible and that we are not allowing anything which could cause harm to the wide variety of wildlife which can be found there. 

"Flowers and wreaths left at Christmas are generally cleared away at the start of February.

"This happened slightly earlier this year and I have spoken with those who contacted me as a result to explain the situation.

"The churchyard rules are clearly displayed in the church porch and a notice will also shortly be replaced on the entrance to the churchyard."