The cost of maintaining graves across the district has been cut, after grieving families complained about huge price hikes.

Braintree Council put up its prices on April 1, doubling the cost of twice yearly planting for full graves from £75 to £150.

Charges for keeping them neat and tidy for a year also rose, from £50 to £120.

But the council has back-tracked and reduced the costs to £100 and £75 respectively.