CAMPAIGNERS fighting a possible ban on wind chimes in a Newport graveyard are delighted after council bosses changed their minds.

The city council had said the chimes in Christchurch cemetery must be removed after they received nine complaints about the noise.

But the chimes will not be taken down today as planned after 1,128 people signed a petition against the ban.

Instead, the council is asking for more views and a committee will review the rules barring them.

The chimes will not be removed from the graveyard until a further decision is made, although the council asks that no more are added.

Debra Evans, who started the petition with daughter Jessica, said the turnaround was "brilliant". She put it down to the petition and an Argus poll, which showed 88 per cent of readers who voted were against a ban. But Mrs Evans, 40, whose son, Kieron, is buried there, is prepared to continue her campaign if need be.

She said: "If they ban them again we'll do it all over again." Seven-year-old Kieron died after a collision with a car in Hendre Farm Drive, Ringland, in 2002.

Council official David Morris told protesters on Monday that regulations forbade wind chimes in the cemetery.

But after the meeting Mrs Evans studied the regulations and spoke to cabinet member Ray Truman. She said: "There was nothingwhich said they shouldn't be hung in the trees."

The issue will now be discussed by a scrutiny forum, andthe council is asking residents for their opinions.

Letters should be addressed to David Morris, grounds and countryside manager, Newport city council, Newport civic centre, Newport, NP20 4UR.