People are being asked to remove prohibited items from gravestones.

Fakenham Town Council has said items such as glass vases should be removed from graves at the cemeteries it manages in Queen's Road and Creake Road ahead of an inspection later this year.

The council said it understands that this can be a sensitive subject, but it has rules that need to be followed for health and safety reasons.

The council carries out inspections every three years, but due to the pandemic, the inspection during the lockdown period was not possible. The delayed inspection will now take place this November.

Fakenham & Wells Times: The entrance to the Queen's Road cemetery in FakenhamThe entrance to the Queen's Road cemetery in Fakenham (Image: Google Maps)

A spokesman for the town council said: “The council has many responsibilities for managing its extensive estate and takes the care of its cemeteries particularly seriously.

"Keeping them tidy and properly tended is of particular importance to show respect for the graves and the families who visit them.

READ MORE - Walsingham working on rebuilding village hall after fire

“This is why, in common with almost all other local authorities, Fakenham Town Council has a set of rules concerning headstones and other commemorative objects that can be placed on graves.

“We would like to respectfully remind visitors to the cemeteries in Queen's Road and Creake Road that any non-permitted items on graves will be removed in November.

Fakenham & Wells Times: Fakenham Town Council has issued a statement asking people to clear items, such as glass vases, from graves at the cemeteries it managesFakenham Town Council has issued a statement asking people to clear items, such as glass vases, from graves at the cemeteries it manages (Image: Aaron McMillan)

“This is not the council being harsh or unfeeling.

"The presence of breakable items such as glass jars to hold flowers is a health and safety issue for our groundsmen who tend the area surrounding the graves. Similarly, the presence of plastic soon degrades in the open air and makes the area look neglected, which clearly it is not.

“Therefore, we would ask families to remove any items that they wish to have as a keepsake, but to remove any prohibited items.”

The rules for cemeteries are on the town council website, and at each location.

READ MORE - Holkham Estate is building a new bridle path at Lady Anne’s Drive