Watford Borough Council has withdrawn proposals to reintroduce burial fees for children from outside the borough.

The council last year abolished charges for child burials in its two cemeteries – wherever they lived.

But last week it emerged the council was considering proposals to charge up to £600 for the burial of a child from outside the Watford boundary.

The council said the free service was becoming increasingly popular with families living in neighbouring areas where fees were charged, and was taking up much-needed space in the borough’s cemeteries in North Watford and Vicarage Road.

But on Monday (January 20) members of the council’s cabinet unanimously decided to withdraw the proposal from the budget plan for 2020/21.

Following the meeting, Elected Mayor Peter Taylor said: "I cannot begin to imagine how heartbreaking it must be to lose a child.

“No one in that situation should be charged with a burial fee.

“It is the right thing to do to make sure we continue to provide a service that is free of charge for anyone wanting to use it in Watford.

“Despite a reduction in funding of £4 million a year by central government, we must protect these services so we can continue to be a caring and compassionate council.”

The proposed fees had been included in a package of proposed charges with the fee for a child from outside Watford set at £600 – reduced to £300 for children under five.

And for those in a shared grave the fee would have been £170, reduced to £50 for those under five or stillborn.

The remaining fees and charges in the proposed budget were backed by the cabinet and will be considered by the council.