Grieving families have been asked to remove “unauthorised” items such as balloons from graves over safety concerns.

Ongar Town Council workers have also taken down memorials and laid them flat at Ongar Cemetery after the council said the stones failed safety checks.

The council appealed to members of the public to remove the commemorative items including vases and wind chimes last week, saying it has received complaints from visitors over the memorials.

Councillors claim the objects could “represent a danger to staff while carrying out their duties, to visitors to the cemetery and to wildlife.”

Regulations introduced in 2006 and amended up to November 2014 forbid people from leaving the items.

Flowers are permitted on the graves in stone vases but glass or ceramic vases, mementos and artificial flowers are banned and will be removed and kept by the council for three months.

The cemetery in Love Lane will be checked by the council in three months.

A professional contractor hired by the council recently found several memorials at the site to be “unstable” and they were laid down.

A statement said: “People often use them for support when tending the grave and the council is mindful that accidents can happen.”

The stones are regularly tested and they must be able to “withstand anything that is likely to happen”.

Deputy town clerk Judith Farr said: “Unfortunately several memorials were found to be unsafe and to prevent any further damage have been laid flat temporarily to allow relatives time to investigate options for repairs.

“The council has tried to contact all the relatives concerned but not all the contact details held by the council are current.

“The council is therefore appealing to relatives to ensure that they inform the council of any change of circumstances.”

Anyone with questions or concerns can phone Mrs Farr on 01277 365 348 or email deputyclerk@ongartowncouncil.gov.uk.

What do you think? Let our reporter Joseph Flaig know by phoning 07795 316 211.