The parents of a stillborn baby girl have told of their heartbreak after a loving display left by their daughter's graveside was thrown out.
Ryan Stokes and Keelie Walker, both 35, lost their daughter Valencia last June after Keelie caught Covid.
The couple finds comfort in visiting her grave at Mill Lane Cemetery in Greater Manchester and described her plot as "our beautiful little place" which helps to ease their pain.
They created a small display at the village cemetery in Cheadle after being told they were allowed the garden provided it extended no more than one foot away from their daughter's plot.
Flowers and paper windmills decorated the site but Ryan said staff have now thrown their possessions in a skip after other displays were cleared by Stockport Council last year.
“It’s disgusting," he told the Manchester Evening News.
"I was told I could go a foot out. She has only been there for six months.
"I am just over a foot out and they have taken the lot out and thrown it in a skip.”
The heartbroken dad even went so far as to say he wants to see Valencia's grave exhumed.
He explained: "I want to have my baby moved. I want her dug up."
Mill Lane became the site of angry clashes between bereaved families, police, and enforcement officers when clearances took place last December.
Ryan said he and Keelie were aware of the ongoing issues in the cemetery but they believed their plot would not be affected.
In response to the move, Stockport Council said the "lawned" nature of the cemetery was made clear in a welcome pack issued to every grave owner.
A statement read: "The area where this burial has taken place is the baby memorial garden. It was developed in conjunction with Stockport SANDS.
"It was always intended to be kept as a lawned design and this was agreed with Stockport SANDS. Everyone is sent a welcome pack making this clear.
"We understand that this is an extremely sensitive issue and as such, we have worked hard with all the families affected and given them notice to remove their items. In this case, we wrote to the grave owner on December 3, 2021 and February 1, 2022 asking that the garden is removed.
"This grave is the only one in this area where a small garden has been set out and we have never given permission for this and there is also no agreement to leave tributes outside of the boundary.
"The work was carried out to ensure that the lawned appearance of the cemetery can be maintained in line with the wishes of the majority of grave owners."
