Mourners campaigning to preserve the graves of their loved ones have been given an 18-month reprieve from any further changes.

Earlier this year the Harrow Times reported on the campaign against graves at Carpenders Park Cemetery, in Oxhey Lane, being turned into a lawn cemetery.

The site is run by Brent Borough Council and in 2007 Harrow Borough Council opened a section of the graveyard for Harrow residents.

Last month a petition of more than 2,200 signatures was handed to Harrow Borough Council calling on the authority to put pressure on Brent to stop the changes.

Since then the two councils have agreed an 18-month period when maintenance staff will not interfere with the graves in the Harrow sections of the site.

In July relatives found cemetery staff removing crosses, flowers and photographers from the graves of their loved ones.

Susan Johnston, who has been leading the campaign, last week met with the leader of Harrow council Councillor David Perry and cabinet member for environment Cllr Varsha Parmar.

Mr Johnston said: “I am absolutely delighted with this result. It shows Harrow council is backing us and are doing all they can to find a solution for everyone.

“This is a step in the right direction. We hope this 18 months with give the two councils a chance to meet and to resolve the issue.

“This whole campaign has been very emotive. A lot of the people who have been affected are still grieving for their loved ones and to have this issue as well made things very raw for them.

"I just hope common sense will prevail in the long run."

A spokesman for Harrow Council said: “We have reached agreement with Carpenders Park Cemetery over the treatment of personal effects and memorials.

“For 18 months Brent Council have agreed not to remove any items from the lawn cemetery.

“We hope this news is reassuring to the families affected and we will continue to work with Brent Council in the coming months on this sensitive issue.”