THE Argus campaign to end a cruel ruling which bans mementoes on children's graves was yesterdaygiven a second major boost.

Newport city council is bowing to public pressure - bringing in a new policy for what is allowed to be placed on graves in the city's cemeteries.

That follows the announcement last week of a review of the policy following our campaign to keep children's graves a special place.

It is not yet known what the details of that new policy will be or whether angry parents will be satisfied by it. But Newport council cabinet member Graham Dally told grieving parents yesterday: "It will be more sympathetic but there will be guidelines laid down. I think it will go a long, long way to satisfying you."

We launched our Special Place campaign last month - highlighting the plight of grieving families, banned from placing toys and ornaments on children's graves under strict rules laid down by the council.

Since then, more than 2,000 people have signed a petition to overturn the ruling. And at a tense meeting at the Civic Centre, yesterday, anguished mums even volunteered to maintain the graves themselves.

Campaigners Tracy Ratcliffe and Elaine Pike (pictured at the grave of her son, Lloyd) met Councillor Dally and grounds and countryside manager David Morris.

Mum-of-one Tracy, 32, of Lodge Avenue Court, who lost her son Richard when she was five months' pregnant, said: "We're not harming anyone by putting these toys down and it makes us feel better."

Her husband, Michael, 40, added: "Times have changed and people want to mourn more openly these days. I understand there's rules and regulations but people have got to express their grief. We've lost our children."

Mr Dally said a new grave policy was drawn up following the huge public outcry. He added that some families had also contacted him complaining about decorated graves - but the numbers did not match the thousands who had signed the petition. "I'm in a no-win situation. I will upset people which ever way I go," he said.

After the meeting Mr Ratcliffe said he was hopeful of a result. "But, obviously, until we see it in writing there'll still be some doubt," he said.

The new proposals will go before councillors on March 27. The meeting starts at 9.30am at the civic centre and the public are welcome to attend.