A DISTRAUGHT mum says she could be forced to remove her daughter’s grave because its decoration breaks cemetery regulations.

Vicky Mason, of Barry Crescent, Little Hulton, cremated her baby daughter Tilly Mason-Platt, after she was still-born on March 20 this year.

She says that when she bought the plot and headstone in Agecroft Cemetery for her daughter for over £800, she was not told that there were restrictions on what she could decorate it with.

But nearly two months after her daughter’s death, Vicky said she received a letter telling her to remove the ‘unauthorised tributes’.

And the 22-year-old mum said she would rather pay hundreds of pounds to relocate her daughter’s ashes, than strip the grave bare.

Vicky, who lives with her son Max, three, and partner James Platt, said: "Because my daughter was stillborn the hospital covered the cost of the funeral but we wanted something special so I paid for a headstone and created a garden.

"When my son gets out of bed in the morning, he can look forward to looking after that garden and it’s the only responsibility I have left for my daughter. But it turns out that when I bought the plot I got the booklet for a burial grave whereas I bought a cremated remains grave.

"They say a cremated remains grave can only have six inches of space and the gardeners can’t get to it properly when there’s a fence there.

"But she’s at rest now and that’s where I want her to stay.

"If I have to remove the garden, I’m moving cemeteries."

Vicky has promised staff at Agecroft Cemetery she will attend to the upkeep of the area two times a week.

But they have given her until November 15 to remove the garden, otherwise the items will be put in storage for six months.

A Salford City Council spokesman told the Advertiser: "The current cemetery rules and regulations were compiled and agreed a few years ago as a result of discussions between bereaved grave owners, council officers and elected members.

"Grave owners are provided with clear guidelines which operate for everyone’s benefit.

"Vicky purchased an ashes grave which is much smaller than a standard grave and therefore has limited space for ornamental purposes.

"The extent of her ornamental garden was setting a precedent for others nearby, so we wrote to her about the rules, believing she was already aware of them."

Cllr Keith Mann, lead member for environment, said: "We have every sympathy with Vicky and would like to meet her to seek a solution."

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