A memorial for a dead loved one which was erected in a beauty spot near Oldham has been dug up and removed by the local authority.

Hartshead Pike has become a popular walking spot for residents across Greater Manchester as the Grade II monument boasts views across Ashton-under-Lyne, Mossley, Saddleworth and Oldham.

However, residents who wish to lay their deceased pets to rest or bury their loved one's ashes near the idyllic summit are being encouraged to think again after a recent memorial was taken down by Tameside Council.

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A photograph suggests a 'grave' was recently dug up and refilled, which residents believed was for a dead pet.

A sign with a letter from the council has also been erected in its place which indicates the memorial was torn down on December 22, just days before Christmas.

The letter, signed by Tameside's Greenspace Manager, Nicola Marshall, addresses the grieving resident directly and outlines how a memorial is "not something that we allow in parks and areas of countryside managed by the council".

The letter, which is pinned to a wooden plank, states: "Firstly, please accept our condolences on the loss of your loved one."

While there is little indication as to what was buried at the site on the letter, the Greenspace Manager continues: "I'm afraid that this memorial, dug and erected on Hartshead Pike without permission of the council, cannot remain in place and we have removed it and refilled the dug area for safety."

The laminated letter instead points to alternative options for residents who wish to have a memorial, such as tree planting and benches, "following discussions with us".

However, it adds: "But when we do have memorial benches, we do not allow flowers and mementoes.

"Parks and countryside are primarily about recreation - they are spaces for people to play, run and relax and therefore memorials such as this are not appropriate."

Tameside Council confirmed to The Oldham Times that it was a memorial tree that was planted in the spot.

The resident has been informed the tree is being kept safe at a depot if they wish to collect it as of Tuesday (January 2).

The letter concludes: "We hope that you understand the Council's position and please contact us in the new year to arrange suitable location for a memorial."

A Tameside Council spokesperson said: “Our Greenspace team removed a memorial tree, flowers and mementos for safekeeping from Hartshead Pike just before Christmas in line with our policies for memorials in Tameside greenspaces.

"A notice was left to enable the family to get in touch with us. We are now in contact with them and looking at options for relocating the tree or suitable replacement memorial."

The Council said residents who wish to have a memorial bench or tree planted should contact the Greenspace team or visit Tameside Council's website for more information.

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