Views sought over Shrewsbury baby grave tributes
Bereaved parents are being asked for their views on a new policy for leaving tributes on babies' graves at Shrewsbury's cemetery.
Issues to be raised will include the number of tributes parents can leave on shared graves at the cemetery in Longden Road.
It comes after tributes were cleared from graves last year, leaving many families shocked and upset.
Parents were asked to collect them after complaints that too many glass artefacts meant the area couldn't be maintained.
Consultation has been launched by Shropshire Council to draw up a policy to make clear what parents can leave on the shared graves.
The council has called on parents, local residents and any other stakeholders to vote between one of six potential options which include limiting the number of tributes per grave, a dedicated space for an unlimited number of tributes or a new memorial or tribute area.
The consultation comes after a petition was set up calling for grieving parents to be allowed to lay tributes on their babies' graves reached 2,111 signatures.
In a statement the authority said: "During October last year, all shared graves in the new part of the cemetery were cleared of personal tributes, although not by Shropshire Council.
"Although not in any way involved with the removal of the tributes we were deeply sorry to hear of the genuine upset and anguish removal of tributes had caused families connected with the shared graves."
It added: "Other than to avoid injury or causing offence, we do not have a predetermined view of what tributes if any should be allowed on the shared graves.
"However, families have made it known that they would like a policy or guidelines in place so that everyone who visits or is connected with the shared graves is informed and clear about what is acceptable.
"We want to help resolve this period of anguish and uncertainty and are consulting to obtain views in order to decide upon a future policy."
The shared graves were gifted by the council to the local branch of the stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands.
The graves have been maintained by the local Sands committee while helping with funeral costs and headstones for some families.
But the charity said it felt it had "no choice" following concerns about health and safety from cemetery staff and apologised for "not communicating with parents adequately" after clearing the tributes.
The consultation is open until August 10 and people can put forward their views by visiting new.shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved/tributes-on-shared-graves-at-longden-road/
