A CHURCH near Whitchurch has announced it will be removing memorial items in the churchyard.

St Mary's Church in Church Lane in Whixall announced it would be doing it as part of tidying up the church next month.

The church said it had to follow diocesan regulations over decisions it takes in the cemetary

On its Facebook page, it said: "At the end of February, we will be tidying the churchyard and as part of that process we will have to move any items that are made of stone, concrete, metal, glass or plastic objects whether in the form of model people, animals, toys or otherwise.

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"We will also have to remove any object designed to make a noise when removed by the wind."

The church added: "The diocesan regulations also say that artificial flowers are not to be permitted 'except for wreaths and poppies in the period and leqading up to Rememberance Day, Christmas and Easter and on anniversaries of death or marriage.'

"Such items are to be removed not more than one month after those occasions.

"No other portable or man-made items are to be left on a grave except that such items may be left in position for the period of no more than one calender month after a funeral.

"They must then be removed.

"We hope that you will understand that we have to follow these regulations.

"We hope that this notification of a month will allow you to visit your loved ones graves and remove any items not allowed."