THE rules preventing grieving families erecting wooden crosses on the graves of their loved ones in Bromsgrove's cemeteries discriminates against the less well off and should be lifted, it was claimed this week.

The leader of the Labour group on Bromsgrove District Council, Cllr Peter McDonald (Uffdown and Waseley), spoke out after reading the heart-rending front page story in last week's Advertiser/Messenger.

It told how Sidemoor resident Eileen Mulhall was distraught after discovering that a wooden cross on the grave of her sister, Margaret Dyer, had been removed because it breached regulations.

Mrs Dyer's 21-year-old daughter, Caroline Turnell, from Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove, was also deeply upset and plans to take up the issue with the three Tory councillors who represent the Norton ward.

Expertly made

She explained she and her brother were in low paid jobs and could not afford a traditional stone cross.

"I'm ashamed that we could only afford a wooden cross. It was expertly made and not an eyesore. I feel hurt and disgusted at it being removed without our knowledge," she said.

Cllr McDonald said: " I'm asking the September meeting of the recreation amenities and tourism committee to withdraw opposition to wooden crosses.

"There should be no discrimination -- after all, the cross of Jesus was wooden."

Committee chairman Cllr Terri Matthews (Con, Furlongs) said the ban had been introduced in a bid to maintain standards after unsightly home-made crosses appeared on graves.

She added: "The regulations have been in force for some years. Cllr McDonald and his party had the opportunity of changing them when they were in control. Why now?"