A grieving mum is fighting to keep her child's memorial intact after being asked by council bosses to remove decorations for grounds maintenance.

Cody Hobman has created what she calls a “forever bed” at Hawkinge Cemetery, near Folkestone, for her 16-year-old daughter Alisa Ponter, who was killed in a crash in February.

But In August she received a letter demanding they remove some of the tributes.

Hawkinge Cemetery’s rules stress personal effects must be placed “on or in the headstone channel” rather than the lawn, so workers can carry out maintenance.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s (FHDC) recent letter told Cody if the decorations - which "present difficulties" when cutting the grass - were not cleared, the items would be removed.

The 32-year-old told KentOnline: “They said it all has to come away because the groundsmen have to tend to it but her’s is an end plot so we can and do tend to it ourselves.

“Alisha was only 16 and she had her life stolen from her and I feel like the tributes are a statement to her. It’s not causing anybody harm so why should they take it away? It’s absolutely beautiful, just like her.

“If it’s ever not kept or messy then I’ll understand why they have a problem but until then I don’t see what their issue is and I feel they should have some compassion.”

Cody says she and Alisha’s heartbroken brothers visit the grave every day - sometimes twice a day.

“If they make us take it down it will affect us tremendously, it will be absolutely awful,” she added.

The council originally gave a two-week deadline for the memorial’s removal but has since extended it to March.

However, Alisha’s family remain frustrated as they feel while they are taking care of the grave the council should leave them to it.

Cody told KentOnline the events have significantly affected her mental health.

But the council has stood firm in its decision that, when the time comes, the tributes will need to be removed for maintenance.

FHDC says it did not intend its letter to cause the family anguish and explained why the grass must be kept clear.

“It is clearly not our intention to cause more upset at what we know is a difficult time,” a spokesman said.

“Our cemetery guidelines allow personal effects to be placed on or in the headstone channel – items left on lawn areas are only removed after appropriate notice.

“This area is specifically grassed to allow for easy and regular maintenance of the lawned plots to ensure the whole area is well-presented for all visitors.

“We have written to other families about similar matters recently and they have agreed to adhere to the guidelines.

“It is only right to be fair to all those with loved ones at the cemetery.”

The family have set up a petition asking the local community for support in keeping the tribute to Alisha in place, which has already gathered more than 1,000 signatures.

Mum-of-five Cody says she will keep fighting and not remove the decorations for the council’s March deadline.

An inquest opened into Alisha’s death on March 8.

The teenager was a passenger in a Toyota Hilux which collided with a road barrier and overturned on the A249 near Maidstone on February 24. She died at the scene.

The inquest was opened but formally suspended to allow an ongoing police investigation to take place.

A boy, believed to be 15, was also taken to a London hospital with serious injuries, while a 17-year-old boy suffered minor injuries.

The older boy was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has since been re-bailed pending further enquiries.