More than 40 people turned out to a meeting this week in the hope of being told once and for all whether they need to 'unclutter' their loved ones' graves.

In September the committee that runs West Hoe Cemetery in Bishop's Waltham told people to remove ornaments and teddies and reduce the number of flowers on graves.

But since a backlash from families it has delayed any action following its warning. It announced to a frustrated audience that the issue was too sensitive to make a quick decision about, and a special meeting would need to be called in spring next year.

Paula Smith, 44, of Oak Road, Bishop's Waltham, said: 'This is the second meeting we've had about this, and again it's been a complete waste of time.

'There's nothing wrong with the cemetery anyway. It's one of the best-kept cemeteries around here, but the committee decided it needed tidying.

'It is a sensitive issue – in which case a decision should be make quickly rather than leaving people hanging.

'The committee obviously didn't expect such a backlash when they slapped notices on the headstones telling people to de-clutter them.

'It's a disgrace the way this has been handled.'

And Geraldine Clarke, 68, also of Oak Road, said: 'It's been a complete disaster again.

'When we were told the graves had to be tidied there seemed to be a sense of urgency, and now we're being left hanging. This has upset a lot of people.'

During the heated meeting, at Jubilee Hall in Bishop's Waltham, the cemetery committee tried to defend its decision to ask people to 'unclutter' graves.

Diana Underwood, committee chairman, said: 'These are not old rules we are trying to enforce. They have been in place for many years.

'The cemetery has got untidy-looking, and the graves need to be made clear so the groundsman can cut the lawn properly.'

A special meeting will now be held in spring next year to discuss a solution.

Until then no items need to be removed from graves.