A parish has delayed making a decision on whether to allow a controversial memorial to a young boy, until after the anniversary of his death.

Tony and Alison Spalding, from Cedar Drive, Sutton-at-Hone, want to erect a headstone in St John’s Baptist Church, Sutton-at-Hone, in memory of their son Charlie Morettes who collapsed playing rounders at Sutton-at-Hone Primary School last May.

Charlie was just eight when he died.

The couple’s proposed memorial includes a 21-inch granite model of Bart Simpson, one of Charlie’s favourite characters.

Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley Parish Council, which owns the church’s burial ground, has said it will wait until after the anniversary of his death, on May 16, before it makes a final decision.

The council has already voted on the plans once, on April 17. Five councillors were in favour, but one disapproved, prompting a wider consultation, which ended last week.

Chris Armstrong, the council’s chairman, said he had received four written objections and one letter in support of the plans.

The matter is now set to be decided at a council meeting on June 19.