Deer blamed for eating wreaths

The deer are said to have a taste for carnations and roses

Wild deer are being blamed for eating wreaths laid at Haycombe cemetery and crematorium in Bath.

The family of one man buried last week thought thieves had stolen the £500 flowers laid in his memory.

They claim they were not warned that floral displays were at risk of being eaten by wild animals and may not have chosen to lay them if they had known.

Bath and North East Somerset Council said efforts made to advise families would be increased.

Malcolm Pow, whose brother-in-law Tony Merrett was recently buried at the cemetery, said they were not warned about the possibility wildlife would eat the flowers.

"We immediately had jumped to the wrong conclusion thinking somebody had taken them," he said.

A statement from the Council said: "Haycombe cemetery borders on open land, therefore staff do their utmost to provide advice through funeral directors about the possibility of local wildlife eating flowers.

"Once a burial has taken place, families are also given this advice. We will also be writing to local florists with similar advice."