Nothing short of an absolute disgrace is how the actions of Medway Council are being described by our website users.

An overwhelming response has been received about our story on Royal Marine captain Bill Hoadley’s grave.

It has stood in Strood Cemetery for 10 years but Medway Council has issued a notice saying it does not meet cemetery regulations and must be altered.

Now our readers are backing Captain Hoadley’s family’s plea to allow him to rest in peace.

~Is the council right to enforce its regulations? Should there be special dispensation for graves of war heroes? Add your comments here.>>>

Teresa Ann Gudgion from Cliffe said: “My heart goes out to the family. You never stop grieving for your loved ones and they should be able to keep the memories, the grave and gravestone exactly as it is.

“Why change when it has been there 10 years? It would feel like they are desecrating their loved one’s resting place.

“This is a case of a "jobsworth" intelligence. Have the council not got important things to sort out?”

Someone who left their name only as Robster from Thanet said: “I find the gravestone a very beautiful memorial to a War Hero. On the other hand the action of Medway Council is nothing short of an absolute disgrace.

“They make too many silly unimportant rules and none of the idiots have probably ever witnessed war at first hand.”

Ian from Maidstone added: “As an ex-serviceman myself this treatment of the family is nothing short of appalling.

“Medway council should hang their heads in shame. Even in death there is no peace for this Second World War hero.”

Royal Marine Captain Bill Hoadley died in 1998, aged 76, after devoting his life to the service of his country.

He saw action during the Second World War in Burma, Italy, India and on the North Atlantic convoys.

He later became the commanding officer of the Royal Marine Cadet Unit in Chatham and chairman of the Chatham branch of the Royal Marine Association.

When he was laid to rest at Strood Cemetery his family decided to build a grave worthy of his service and it has remained largely unchanged for a decade.

His family have been told they have 28 days to make alterations.