A FAMILY have said they are “devastated” after they claim Torfaen council removed items from the grave of much-loved dad, brother and friend.

Pontypool dad Adam Millett died following a crash between a car and a lorry in Garn Yr Erw, near Blaenavon, last year after being airlifted from the scene.

Following his death, family and friends left tributes at his graveside paying tribute to his character from flowers, toys and pictures to a custom licence plate and steering wheel.

On Friday, November 10 the Millett family discovered items had been removed from the grave – including gifts left by Adam’s five-year-old daughter Amelia.

Sister Chloe Millett said: “It’s just devastating and not the same anymore with his stuff not being there.

"Adam’s little girl doesn’t want to go there now as she has got stuff up there that she took up for Ad”.

She added:“Graveyards can be morbid places but this is my brother’s forever home. Why can’t they be beautiful".

This year, the Millett family have remembered Adam in many ways from holding car cruises and community events to raising more than £3,000 for Wales Air Ambulance, who airlifted him from the scene of the crash.

Adam’s brother, Tomos, aged 16, added the family spent the summer "making the tribute "perfect from cutting the grass once a week to watering it twice a day.

“I was so angry that someone could just walk all over it and take all the things we put up there,” he said.

A spokesman for Torfaen County Borough council said: “Our policy is to only write once to grave owners to request the removal of unauthorised items.

"The second time these items were found they were removed without notification in line with our policy, together with other items such as plastic bottles and sweet packets which would deteriorate over time.

"All other mementoes and flowers were moved back within the permitted memorial area.

“On this occasion the family contacted us before the items were discarded and we were able to return them.”

Executive member for the environment, cllr Fiona Cross, added: “It is incredibly difficult to satisfy the personal needs of all cemetery visitors and we apologise if this has caused the family any distress.

“Some restrictions are needed to ensure the environment remains a place of dignity for all visitors.”