Grandmother's gnomes on funeral route wish scuppered due to health and safety rules

Garden gnome-loving grandmother Veronica Pratt had one special request when she died - she wanted her colourful collection to line the route of her funeral procession. The 82-year-old’s family duly laid 30 of her favourite gnomes and ornaments on a roundabout in Narberth where the cortege would past - only to see them confiscated by the ‘elf and safety police.



Pembrokeshire Council officers said they had been instructed to remove the gnomes after Welsh Assembly transport officials said they could be “distracting” to other road users. Mrs Pratt’s family said they were sad to see the gnomes, on Penblewin roundabout, taken away.

Her son Alan said: “It was what she wanted and we were happy to do it. Mum had a long and well-travelled life, during which she collected gnomes and ornaments from around all over the country, each one of which held special memories for her.



“Mum always commented on how lovely the roundabout was, especially in the spring when the flowers came into bloom. This is why she wanted her collection placed there.” A spokesman for Pembrokeshire Council said: “It was felt to be the right thing to do. The collection is at our roads depot until they can be collected.”