Your benches are too low !

Park benches across the country will have to be replaced at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds - because they are too low. Under new health and safety laws, benches must be more than 17.75in high so the elderly and disabled can get off them easily.

The new rules came to light after Bramcote Crematorium in Nottinghamshire was told by officials from the local Broxtowe council to replace 40 memorial benches costing £400 each. An inspector found that the benches were 14.75in high - 3in lower than the "allowed minimum" height and 5in lower than the "optimum" height.

The crematorium has also been ordered to pay a further £200,000 for lighting, because, under the same legislation, the new benches must be lit at night.

Kevin Browne, the crematorium's manager, said: "The inspector went around with a tape measure measuring everything for compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.

"Apparently, it means that the buttocks of infirm people are below the point at which they can easily return to a standing position, and 72 per cent of our visitors are elderly. But we also have to pay to put the new benches on an elevated slab, clear enough space at the side to give wheelchair access and make sure all the benches across our 18-acre site are properly lit. This will have staggering financial implications for us - about £200,000 - and we have to carry it out within two years. It is very difficult to strike a balance between our responsibility to the bereaved and the other obligations placed on us."

The order has led to the benches - many of which were paid for by bereaved families in memory of their loved ones - being removed.

Jayne Allen, whose husband Phillip died suddenly five years ago aged 48, paid £400 for a bench bearing a plaque with her husband's name. She has now been told that, because of the new regulations, the bench is being returned to her and the plaque moved to a replacement bench.

"It is all very undignified and quite insulting,' said Mrs Allen. "I also think it shows little respect for the dead. I have told them I want my plaque returned on the bench. There's no way I want it stuck on a new bench alongside other plaques of people I don't know."