The consultation for the personalisation of gravestones at Preston Cemetery has now gone live on the city council website.

Following a petition of more than 4,500 names to the Town Hall in November last year, the council has now decided to review the rules and regulations about graves in Preston.

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The petition resulted from the council sending letters to plot holders, after memorials were being left on grave plots and going beyond the allotted space, as set out in council regulations.

However campaigners say they should be left in peace to pay tribute to their loved ones.

The consultation gives the public a chance to give their say about which four options on maintaining graves should be adopted.

Read more: Preston Cemetery rules consultation announced – these are the four options

The four options have been put together by council officers after visiting other local authority cemeteries and consulting with a focus group of family members.

Patricia Varty set up the original petition calling for the rule changes and for the issue to be discussed by a full council meeting.

She has now organised a public meeting to discuss the proposals, which will be held at St Mary’s Magdalene church hall in Ribbleton from 7pm on Friday 15 September.

A spokesperson for Preston City Council said: “The council decided to carry out this consultation via the website, which is an appropriate method for seeking the public’s views.

“We do support Friends Group meetings and officers attend when appropriate.

“However as this is a public meeting to obtain opinions there is no need for officer attendance on this occasion.

“There are a number ways for the public to provide a response to the council on this issue.”

The consultation will run live until 7 November and you can have your say here.

What do you think about the consultation? Did you sign the petition? Let us know in the comments below