Flower potty !

The careful arranging of flowers at a loved one's grave can be one of the most important sources of solace for grieving relatives.

But not in Cambridge, where people have been banned from using vases or any other containers at cemeteries and memorial gardens in case people injure themselves.

Health and safety killjoys at the city council launched the crackdown after a young child cut her hand on a broken glass vase in the grounds of its crematorium - even though it had been damaged by a council worker. Furious visitors who have been ordered to lay flowers on the ground from April yesterday branded council chiefs "heartless" and accused them of over-reacting.

Among those upset by the ruling was Brian Thorby, whose wife Christine died last year after 45 years of marriage.

The 68-year-old visits her grave at a cemetery attached to Cambridge Crematorium every week to bring fresh flowers. "They have taken away the opportunity I've got to show respect and love to my wife. It's completely heartless," he said.

"To let flowers wilt and die and be left as rubbish - they've no thought for people in a situation like mine. These so-called experts completely ignored the ornamental pond which is uncovered, two feet deep and four metres square with uneven paving slabs around it. Anybody could fall straight into the pond. They are saying flower pots are more dangerous than open water."