THE vicar who approved two gravestones with portraits in a Bolton churchyard, setting a precedent against Church law, said today he regretted his actions.

The Rev David Brierley has spoken as the family of a 24-year-old woman continue to fight to keep her engraved headstone.

As reported in the BEN, Marilyn and Tony Cheetham have been told to remove the headstone in memory of their daughter, Hayley, from Christ's Church churchyard in Harwood because it includes an engraved portrait of her.

The couple, of Brook Bank, Harwood, and their other daughter, Melanie, have vowed to do everything in their power to fight the ruling.

Engraved

The family was inspired to feature Hayley's picture on her headstone after seeing two other graves with engraved portraits in the churchyard, which were permitted by Mr Brierley over a period of 11 years.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Manchester said that other graves with engraved portraits were permitted by the vicar when he was young and new to the parish. They have remained only because those commissioning them genuinely believed they had been given permission and had acted in good faith.

The Cheethams pointed out that Mr Brierley allowed the first headstone in 1985 and his last in 1996, and said 11 years should have been enough time for him to gain experience of the law regarding gravestones.

Mr Brierley, who has been away on holiday and was unable to comment last week, has now spoken about his decision to permit the engraved headstones and said he is "regretful."

He has moved from Harwood and is vicar at Christ's Church, Walmsley.

In an official statement issued on his behalf, the director of communication for the Diocese of Manchester, Steve Goddard, said: "The Rev Brierley commissioned an engraved headstone when he was inexperienced, but sadly this set a precedent and it was difficult for him to refuse other people who wanted the same thing.

"However, it is not a precedent for changing the jurisdiction of the Church of England."

Mr Goddard added: "He was under pressure from grieving families but the line must be drawn somewhere. We do not want headstones to start featuring all sorts of paraphernalia and we must abide by strict regulations.

"Others have been refused since and the Cheethams were not permitted to feature an engraved portrait on their daughter's headstone. They knew the implications but they wanted it so much they went ahead anyway.

"The Rev Brierley very much wants to ensure this does not happen again. His decision was a long time ago, but he is still suffering the ramifications."