BURNESIDE residents are preparing to meet with members of the Church after grave headstones were stripped of flowers and ornaments in St Oswald’s yard.

The community reacted with outrage after flowers were removed from the site due to the enforcement of rules that had previously gone unenforced.

Members of the community, alongside members of the Residents Association, will be attending the meeting at St Oswald’s Church on Friday.

Gayle Howarth, of the resident’s association, said: “We asked for a meeting to discuss a resolution or compromise to the situation and they have agreed.

“Since the first flowers we removed we did begin putting fresh flowers in the graveyard which only last for two days at most - but some of them have been removed as well.

“Some have also removed them from the bin and put them back in the flower buckets.

“They weren’t all dead and we have asked if they can be left until we have had a proper meeting.

“People’s hearts are broken about this since day one and it all feels very heartless and uncompassionate.

“We just want a compromise with the church so people can show respect for the dead again.

“If we cannot resolve this the distress will continue.”

The meeting will take place at St Oswald’s Church in Burneside at 10am.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Carlisle said: "The Diocese of Carlisle can confirm that a meeting is set to take place at St Oswald’s Burneside this Friday (6 May) at 10am between church and Diocesan representatives and people who are concerned that ornaments and artificial flowers have been removed from graves.

"As previously stated, the items removed were in contravention of the Churchyard Regulations - as drawn up by the Chancellor of the Diocese - and which govern all our diocesan churchyards.

"This was done only after five notices had been published in a parish newsletter explaining the situation with a request that the items be removed by loved ones.

"The Diocese can also confirm that no church officers or representatives have removed any fresh flowers from graves.

"Following a complaint being made, assurance was given by church officers that this had not happened.

"We understand that people continue to feel hurt and angry.

"We are deeply sorry that this is the case and the Diocese and the local church is committed to continue to draw alongside everyone involved to work through this situation together.

"Our hopes and prayers are that the meeting will bring further clarity and enable people to voice their concerns, whilst also having opportunity to learn more about the regulations which look to protect the diocese’s churchyards for all."