REGULAR visitors to a York cemetery have reacted furiously to a "devastating" ban on placing ornaments and artificial flowers by gravesides.

A new sign at Huntington Cemetery also outlaws jam jars and vases, unless they are in the style permitted by the burial authority.

One local resident has described the restrictions as "the lowest of the low", but the burial authority is sticking to its guns.

Nicola O'Dwyer, from New Earswick, said the restrictions were "very upsetting".

Nicola visits her mum's grave at least twice a week. Her father visits every day, and she said the new restrictions have been "devastating" for him.

"It's like you're being told how to grieve," she said, and described the ban on artificial flowers as "the lowest of the low".

She added: "Not everyone can afford fresh flowers every few days, especially in winter.

"Now you can't do anything, they're so strict. If you're within your plot, you should be able to do what you like."

Other local residents agree. Desmond Hoare said the ban on artificial flowers was "going over the top".

Nora O'Brien, who lost her husband last year, said that silk flowers looked lovely and should be allowed to stay.

"People shouldn't be deprived of doing this for their loved ones," she added.

Another visitor, Marjorie Pearson, said: "Technically you've bought that plot, and they can't tell you what to do with it."

"This will have to change if enough people kick up a fuss."

And Keith Bucknell, whose family were involved in a dispute with Strensall Parish Council over the design of their teenage son Jamie's headstone, said: "I have visited Huntington Cemetery and thought it was lovely, very sensitively done.

"The way they allowed the ornaments and little gardens around the graves was a really nice touch.

"It would be a shame if they started getting pedantic or silly about what was there."

Derek Atlay, chair of the burial authority and a parish councillor for Huntington, said he could understand residents' concerns, but argued they were not seeing the bigger picture.

He said people were "making a big issue of it", adding: "From the word go, we've said no jam jars. They look terrible, I think.

"People buy a plot for the cremated remains, buy a flagstone, and add lots of other things round the side, which kill the grass off and mean we can't cut the grass."

He emphasised that the rules are here to stay. "We can't just change like that," he said.

Mr Atlay claimed he had received only one complaint about the new sign.

And his deputy on the burial authority, Paul Hudson, pointed out that the sign merely stated existing rules.

However, Mr Hudson did admit it was a "very emotive" subject.

"A few people are saying it's gotten out of hand," he said.

Updated: 09:15 Wednesday, July 17, 2002