THE ARGUS campaign to keep children's graves in Newport a special place has won a major step in the right direction.

Our pressure has meant that Newport council is now reviewing its ban on grieving parents placing toys and ornaments on their children's graves.

Newport is the only council in Gwent to ban toys and mementoes being placed on graves in its cemeteries, and a review of that policy last year led to no change in it.

But after a flood of protest from Argus readers and parents following the launch of our campaign just four days ago, cemeteries boss Councillor Graham Dally vowed to reconsider the policy.

He said: "I will be undertaking a review of the policy for placing memorials on children's graves.

"The last thing I or anyone else wants to do is cause distress to any grieving families.

"Having seen the recent publicity I believe that we should take another look at our approach to ensure that it meets the best needs of the local community.

"I want to ensure Newport cemeteries can be a place where people are able to grieve in whatever way they need to, whilst being sensitive to other relative's needs."

The cabinet member for environment and sustainable development said the policy had been in place for many years and was kept on when it was reviewed last year.

Councillor Dally added: "I intend that the review gets under way as soon as possible. Whereas we are keen to conclude the review, this is an important and delicate issue that should be given full and proper consideration."

Meanwhile, another grieving Gwent family have backed our campaign.

Lorraine Oliver, of Bettws, whose granddaughter is buried at Christchurch Cemetery, said her 22-year-old daughter, Ceri-Ann, was furious after reading what Newport council said about the mementoes having to be removed.

Granddaughter Larissa was buried at Christchurch after being stillborn nearly four years ago.

Mrs Oliver said: "My granddaughter was stillborn at nine months and my daughter was so upset last weekend that she was ready to go to the council herself."

She said that Larissa's grave had two flowers planted at either side and was decorated with an angel and a teddy.

She said: "We only want it to look nice, and everyone keeps the graves looking tidy. "If there was nothing there to decorate the graves it wouldn't be such a nice place to go and grieving families need to visit the graves.

"If that is how people grieve then they shouldn't take that away from them."

* Pictured, grandmother Lorraine Oliver and Ceri-Ann, mother of Larissa Oliver, at her daughter's graveside