A grieving mother has won a battle to have bunches of flowers at her daughter's grave replaced after cemetery staff removed the floral tributes to her.

Jean Pearson's daughter, Kelly, was just 30 when she died last November.

The flowers and wreaths from her funeral adorned the family grave at Scholemoor Cemetery, Bradford, for weeks after her burial.

Mrs Pearson specifically asked for the withering tributes to be left at the graveside until she got the chance to remove them.

"The flowers and wreaths had died and I wanted to be the one to clear them away," she explained.

"I saw it as an important part of the grieving process - a significant step to a fresh start."

But, when she arrived at the cemetery to remove the flowers, Mrs Pearson found the grave had already been cleared for her by grounds staff.

She said: "They probably thought they were doing the right thing because the flowers had died.

"But I am angry because I made a point of ringing the cemetery manager and asking for any clearing up to be left to me."

Now cemetery bosses have sent a letter of apology to Mrs Pearson and replaced the flowers.

She said: "They offered to plant a miniature rose tree at the grave but I didn't want it digging up. I wanted it covered in flowers again and that is what has happened. I am delighted with their response - this is the happiest I have been for a long time."

Bradford Council cemeteries manager David Congreve said the original flowers had been removed because an internment was taking place nearby. "Mrs Pearson asked us to leave the flowers in place, which we were happy to do, but unfortunately this message was not passed on to the contractor."

Mr Congreve added: "We have unreservedly apologised for the distress caused. We are extremely sorry because we recognise this is a difficult time for Mrs Pearson. We have spoken to her on a number of occasions to discuss what she would like us to do to make amends and are pleased that she appreciates the new flowers we have laid."

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