GRIEVING families are being told to abide by strict rules at a cemetery or ornaments and trees may be removed.

New regulations were introduced at Colchester Cemetery in Mersea Road, after complaints about people boozing, swearing and dressing inappropriately.

But families are now being told new regulations for graveside decorations will be enforced from March 1.

Colchester Council, which runs the cemetery, said grave owners are being told not to plant anything in headstone borders and they must not put vases and ornaments on the grass.

Martin Hunt, councillor responsible for the cemetery, said: “The council is responsible for managing and maintaining the open spaces within the cemetery. We must have clear and consistent rules that allow us to ensure the cemetery is the beautiful, tranquil place people have come to expect and appreciate.

“New regulations, which reflect the feedback gathered from cemetery users, were introduced in 2010 and have been widely communicated to grave owners over the past year.

“We will continue to respect an individual’s right to express their grief within the boundaries of the grave space, however the removal of ornaments from open spaces, in particular trees, is necessary to allow funeral services to be conducted with the dignity they deserve and allow all mourners to grieve in peace.”

Grave owners are being told not to plant anything in the headstone borders.

Vases and ornaments can continue to be placed on the headstone base and people will be limited to only two wind chimes and solar lights.

People will be banned from putting ornaments in trees. All those that are not taken away by March 1 will be removed by staff.

Colchester Council said the regulations had been updated following a consultation with grave owners and reflected the changing nature of graveside decoration.

Grieving families previously hit out at the council for being “pathetic and small-minded” over its rules and regulations.