Malvern mum's petition over son's headstone gets 15,000 signatures

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A single mother who started a petition after her son's headstone was removed by a council has attracted more than 15,000 names in support.

Max Corbett-Gardener died, aged four, three years ago from complications associated with severe epilepsy.

His mother Jo Corbett, from Malvern, said she was told by Malvern Town Council that Max's star-shaped stone was "not in keeping" with the others.

The council has yet to comment about the petition.

'So perfect'

Ms Corbett said she was "overwhelmed" with the support she had received, from as far afield as the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

"I wasn't expecting it to go as big," she said. "It's brilliant that so many people care.

"I've had messages from all over the world from people telling me to stick with it because they are behind me."

Ms Corbett erected Max's headstone for what would have been his seventh birthday.

She said she chose a star-shaped stone because it was "so perfect" for her "poor little chap".

However, the council removed the stone three days after it was erected without telling Ms Corbett, leaving her "upset" and "angry".

Ms Corbett was told the stone would have been allowed if it had been in the children's section of Great Malvern Cemetery, but she had opted to have it in the lawn cemetery, close to other relatives.

Harriett Baldwin, Conservative MP for West Worcestershire, said: "I hope Malvern Town Council can work with all involved to find a compassionate outcome to this very sad situation."

Malvern Town Council has previously said it felt "great sympathy" for Ms Corbett's loss.