CRUEL pranksters at a village churchyard are causing heartache for grieving families.
Flowers have been moved from one site to another at least seven times in the last week at Holy Trinity Church, Gwersyllt.
Relatives visiting loved ones’ graves were shocked to find fresh flowers had been moved and fake flowers put in their place.
North Wales Police have been notified.
Churchyard committee chairman Lawrence Crump told the Leader: “I can’t for the life of me think why someone would set out to upset bereaved families. I have absolutely no idea why someone would want to do that.
“People can spend anything up to £10 on fresh flowers and they’re coming here and finding they have been moved.
“It’s pure devilment. There is no sense or reason behind it.”
Mr Crump had four phone calls on Saturday from upset relatives, including one from a man who lost his wife and daughter in the space of a year.
He is hoping to prick the conscience of the culprits by making an appeal for information.
He added: “This is a beautiful churchyard and the families who have relatives here take great pride in the graves.
“Somebody is doing it, and it’s causing a lot of upset.”
The problem is to be discussed at the bi-monthly meeting of the church council tonight.
Canon Sue Huyton said: “The flowers are not being taken but are being moved. That’s the odd thing.
“We’re not sure if it’s youngsters or whether there is something more going on.
“We’re not sure what we can do about it. We can’t sit in the churchyard for 24 hours a day and the police can’t patrol it all the time.
“We work very hard to keep the churchyard tidy, with the help of a grant from the community council which helps pay for the upkeep.
“This is upsetting a lot of people.”
Anyone with information can call North Wales Police on 101.