Dispute over picture at tragic baby's grave

Amy Hopson and her partner Warren Hobbs want to put a photo of little Archie on the memorial at Willenhall Lawn Cemetery in his memory.

But Walsall Council has raised concerns the photograph would upset other mourners and the family now face having to keep it covered up most of the time as a compromise. Baby Archie was still-born at New Cross Hospital in December.

He was buried just before Christmas and in his memory the couple, from Wednesfield, want to have a picture on the gravestone which is expected to be put in place soon.

But they have been forced to come up with an option which means it is not always on view, despite the family believing the tribute should always be on show.

Miss Hopson, aged 24, who has a three-year-old son Joseph, said they were already grieving the loss of their baby without the extra distress caused by the situation. She said the photograph looks like a baby sleeping. The memorial is now expected to cost more money but she said the main focus was on having a fitting gravestone in his memory. She said: "I don't see why I should have to cover the picture up.

"I have spoken to a lot of parents and no one seems to think it is distressing at all. We want everyone to see our baby. It is the only picture I have got of my son. To be told I can't have it because it is a picture of a dead baby is heartbreaking."

Walsall Council said: "Unfortunately the family wanted to use a picture which it was felt may upset other visitors. The mother has come up with a compromise which would effectively see a small hinged door fixed over the image so they can see the picture when they visit and then cover it over the rest of the time."