Nicknames on gravestones are not to be allowed, a Church of England court has declared as it bans the use of "popsicle" on a church's headstones.

A dispute over the use of ‘dad’ and ‘granddad’ on a grandfather’s gravestone has led to a judge saying that the use of nicknames, such as ‘Popsicle’ on gravestones is disrespectful.

Ruth Arlow, who was at the time of the dispute the Diocesan Chancellor of Norwich, said the pet name “lacked appropriate dignity and reverence”.

She made the comment at the Church of England's consistory court where she acted as an independent judge.

The court ruled that Caroline Walden from Fakenham would be allowed to have the words 'dad and grandad' included on the headstone of her father, John Walden, who died in January last year aged 65.

Ms Arlow over-ruled the Rev Clive Wylie, vicar of St Mary's Church at Syderstone, who had told the Walden family that 'Father and Grandfather' was fine but he would not accept 'dad and grandad' on Mr Walden's grave.

Ms Arlow said that while she didn’t agree with the use of popsicle “the same cannot be said of the words 'dad' and 'grandad', which are commonly used by most families in this country”.