Norman is an "unnatural creature"

Poor Norman.

Norman is my garden gnome. He is so not aesthetically unattractive. I maintain that Norman could so totally help the grieving process.

Garden gnomes have been banned from cemeteries by a church diocese because leaders say they are "unnatural creatures".

The gnomes, along with plastic flowers and other decorations such as teddy bears, have been called "inappropriate" and tacky by the Diocese of Bath and Wells.

The church banned the garden figures from Wrington and Congresbury cemeteries in Somerset, and have said they will remove any that they find as part of new guidelines issued by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Worshipful Timothy Briden.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Bath and Wells said: "There is no such thing as a real gnome so why should we have such unnatural creatures in churchyards?"

The spokesman added: "Things such as gnomes and plastic flowers are not permitted because they are aesthetically unattractive and they make it harder to maintain the grounds.

"The historic churchyards are part of Somerset and we want to keep them tidy and safe.

"If people want their loved ones to be buried in one of our churchyards then they have to stick to the rules which are clearly displayed at all churchyards."

The decision to ban the gnomes and statues has been met with criticism from the community however.

Hollie Richards, 24, who has lived in Congresbury all her life and has two grandparents, an uncle and an aunt buried in St Andrew's churchyard in the cemetery, said: "People should be free to put what they want around the gravestones as it is down to personal preference.

"It helps the grieving process as you can surround the grave of the person you love with possessions that were important to them.

Ms Richards added: "I am lucky I live so near as I can take fresh flowers, but what about the people who live far away?

"They will have to leave knowing the flowers will deteriorate and will look unsightly after a few days."

DISCRIMINATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!