A family is at odds with a council over a gravestone.

Samantha Harrison wanted a gravestone resembling an open book for her father, Matthew Brough, at Heworth Burn Cemetery, in Gateshead.

But Gateshead Council said the base should be no more than 12in and this had prevented the memorial being erected.

Mrs Harrison, 34, from Bensham, Gateshead, said: "We are devastated. My mum and sister are heartbroken. People grieving shouldn't have to go through this.

"The design we asked for does not encroach over anyone else's space. It appears the base is three or four inches wider than the 12-inch council rules."

Mr Brough died of cancer, aged 70, leaving his wife, Marion, 63, and daughters Mrs Harrison and Amanda Scullion.

Gateshead director of local environmental services Andrew Yellowley said: "This is deeply upsetting. The mason has ignored our guidance.

"All future headstones erected by this mason will be under the supervision of council staff.