Bereaved relatives who were distraught after cemetery workers destroyed tributes from the graves of loved ones have spoken of their anger.

Families of the deceased say they have been left heartbroken after graves were stripped of cherished items without warning.

Dignity, the West Midlands-based company which owns Brighton and Preston Cemetery in Bear Road, Brighton, said the move was an attempt to "raise standards" in the graveyard. It also said it would help prevent complaints which it had received about the appearance of wooden crosses.

The firm will now only allow stone memorials at the graveyard and has also banned jars, jugs and bottles, while vases must be of an approved design.

The policy has devastated relatives who found wooden crosses pulled out of the ground and notes announcing the ban, addressed "dear grave owner".

Robin Blakeman, from Brighton, buried his mother at the cemetery in December.

He said: "If I had known what would transpire I would have urged my mother when she was terminally ill and making her last will to opt for cremation. I am wondering about the possibility of having her remains exhumed and cremated."

Chrissie Windsor, from Brighton, said: "My family was put through such a shocking sight when we went to visit our grave. The wooden cross which was in a bucket buried in the ground for 15 years was just dumped on the grass with the same note attached."

The Argus reported last week that Dignity said it was trying to ensure the standards people expect.

But the company has apologised for the way the message was communicated to relatives.

Funeral directors in Brighton said they were aware of Dignity's ban. A spokesman from Derriman and Haynes Funeral Service, based in Ladies Mile Road, Patcham, said: "As time goes by, health and safety d*oes dictate what can be put in the ground and I think they are just trying to comply with that."