NEW rules are expected to be introduced to ban “inappropriate dress” at Colchester’s main cemetery. Colchester Council’s cabinet was set to approve new regulations at the Mersea Road graveyard at last night’s meeting following a host of complaints.

A report has revealed there have been complaints about parties, people drinking alcohol, swearing, men stripped to the waist and women in bikini tops, and loud descriptions of sexual encounters near graves.

A survey of grave owners found the majority wanted some restrictions on the number of ornaments, wind chimes and solar lights allowed.

Dogs will have to be kept on a lead, while motorists will not be allowed to park their cars on the grass.

Items placed near a grave which break or “offend public decency” are to be removed, while wind chimes and solar lights will be limited to two per grave.

Cuddly toys will, in future, have to be secured to the headstone.