A LAW introduced during the reign of Elizabeth I has led to a Harwood couple being asked to remove their daughter's headstone.

As reported in yesterday's BEN, Marilyn and Tony Cheetham have been devastated by the news they must remove Hayley's headstone because it is not considered appropriate.

The Church of England says it is unlawful because it includes an engraved portrait of Hayley.

The couple have vowed to fight the ruling because there are other similar headstones in the graveyard at Christ's Church, Harwood.

The Act of Supremacy in 1558 set the ball rolling for present day law on what is legally allowed to be printed on a headstone.

The act established the Sovereign's rights over spiritual matters with any legislation going through the Church of England being passed by Parliament and the Queen.

There have been successive Acts of Parliament on the same subject since 1558.

When 24-year-old Hayley died last year in a house fire, her parents wanted a fitting memorial for her.

They enlisted the help of the same stonemason who designed headstones for Tim Parry and Jonathan Ball, the young victims of the Warrington bomb blast.

The couple were ordered to remove the stone by the Diocese of Manchester, which admits there are other similar headstones in the graveyard because a previous vicar allowed them.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Manchester said: "These engravings are unlawful but were permitted by a former incumbent when he was comparatively young and new to the parish."

He confirmed the vicar responsible was the Rev David Brierley, who is now based at Christ's Church, Walmsley.

Mr Brierley was promoted to Area Dean for the Deanery of Walmsley, which includes Christ's Church in Harwood, in 1995.

He is on holiday and unavailable for comment.

The Rev Robin Hazlehurst, present vicar at Harwood, declined to comment on the dispute, but agreed the situation was "unfortunate".