UNDERTAKERS claim speed humps on Bolton streets are causing anguish for grieving families.

Howarth Funeral Service, based in Astley Bridge, has written to council chiefs to complain about the "sleeping policemen" in the Tonge Moor area.

Funeral directors say the speed humps outside St Columba's Church, in Ripley Street, Hall i'th' Wood, are damaging their limousines every time they cross over them.

Howarth funeral director Mark Rule said: "Funerals are distressing enough, but it has been upsetting for people to see the flowers on top of the coffin move every time they go over a speed hump."

Mr Rule's appeal comes as Liverpool Council bosses agreed to lower hundreds of speed humps in the city following complaints that hearses and funeral cars were having difficulties getting over them.

A spokeman for Liverpool funeral directors said vehicles have been left stranded on the humps, and mourners have sometimes been asked to walk to the end of their streets before getting into the cars to avoid the problem.

In Bolton, the cost of speed hump damage is mounting for local funeral directors.

Mr Rule said: "The damage to the limousines has been horrendous. We've had a lot of damaged exhaust pipes, and the front of the car has been damaged because it scrapes the bottom of the hump.

"The council has said that people who say speed humps damage their cars should alter their car. It's impossible for us to do that because we can't raise the suspension of the limousine.

"We wrote to the council in January, but we haven't had a reply."

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We are aware of this company's concerns and we are looking into the problem. If there are similar concerns elsewhere and they are brought to our attention, we will look at those as well."