Memorial benches to be scrapped by council

There are currently about 200 benches in Blackpool's Stanley Park

Memorial benches to remember loved ones by are to be scrapped in a seaside town.

Blackpool Council said space was running out and it could not continue to cover maintenance costs.

People have been urged to plant a tree instead, which would be planted in one of the town's parks.

Residents would be charged £400 for a celebration tree, instead of nearly £2,000 for a memorial bench.

'Save money'

The council said people could also choose a tree to mark an important event, such as a wedding or special anniversary.

The trees were being offered in partnership with Trees for Streets, which has already worked with 17 councils around the country.

The new service will come into effect at the end of March.

Existing memorial benches will still be maintained by the council.

There are currently about 200 benches in Blackpool's Stanley Park, with some in other parks.

Blackpool Council hoped the change would "boost" tree planting in Blackpool and "save money" by reducing the cost of repairing benches.

A report said maintenance costs could be "considerable" and there was also "limited space available" across Blackpool's parks to continue installing benches in line with demand.

There would be a dedicated website offered by Trees for Streets, which would work with residents who wanted to create a memorial to their loved one.

The report said the partnerships had been "successful" elsewhere and provided another route for the community to take part in "improving the environment".

The trees would be planted by the council's parks department and would be maintained by council staff.

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