FOLLOWING the removal of crosses from graves in Blaenavon cemetery, town councillors are seeking answers.

Blaenavon town councillors have been inundated with calls from concerned people whose loved ones are buried in the cemetery, following the removal of crosses by Torfaen council.

Mayor of Blaenavon Cllr Gareth Davies said: “Blaenavon Town Council was extremely troubled to hear of the removal of the crosses from the cemetery.

“We will be writing to Torfaen council for a full explanation and to seek assurances that such a thoughtless act will not be repeated.”

Blaenavon resident John Breeze discovered his daughter’s cross had been removed from her grave.

Vernon Gedney was also upset after discovering that his mother-in-law’s cross had been removed.

Mr Breeze conducted his own investigations and found the crosses stored in a shed in Panteg.

Cwmbran resident Alison Oates, whose father’s cross had been on his grave for more than 30 years, said: “I’m not happy. We should have been informed first.”

The cross has been reinstated to the grave, but Mrs Oates believes that the matter needs to be taken further.

Cllr Alan Jones has also been helping to reunite families with their crosses so they can be correctly replaced.

Torfaen council has apologised for the removal of crosses, explaining its current policy is to remove temporary crosses after 12 months and the bereaved are informed of the policy.

However, in this instance a number of memorial crosses which had been in place for many years were removed in error.

The council is to review its current policy and replace all of the crosses removed.