Officials at Erewash Borough Council said he could not place the stone in Park Road Cemetery, Ilkeston, Derbys., in case the word "bugger" offended someone.

When Lewis offered to change the word to "bogger" or "beggar" the council also refused.

Lewis said: "The word in the context it's being used in - it's not used in an offensive way. "It shows what he was like as a person. Granddad was a joker.

"If you go to the cemetery it can be morbid, but me personally I like the thought of going to the cemetery and seeing this on the headstone.

"It will make it easier and make me happier remembering what he was like.

"He was in the air force so basically he fought for his country so we could have rules and laws like this - I do not understand why his last wish is being refused.

"We're determined to have his final wish fulfilled. We're already looking at exhuming his ashes and having them buried somewhere where his headstone can be placed.

"To be honest, it's so ridiculous I think he'd be laughing his socks off at the fuss that's being made about the word "bugger".

"He'd probably say the people blocking this were all daft buggers - and he'd be dead right."

Maurice, who had a son who passed away in 2012, and three grandchildren, served as a firefighter after leaving the RAF, before turning to photography.

His grave is currently lying unmarked as Lewis, of Ilkeston, Derbys., appeals the council's decision.