AN EASTER egg hunt at Wrexham Cemetery has been cancelled amid a backlash over its appropriateness. 

Friends of Wrexham Cemetery had advertised the event that was due to take place on April 3. 

However, the event quickly proved unpopular with some people who have loved ones buried there. 

One person said: "This is extremely disrespectful. I can see the idea of encouraging people to visit but an Easter egg hunt is not an excuse. Why not hold a day where you go into the history of it instead of kids running riot potentially ruining people's places of rest."

Another added: "It's absolutely shocking - this as made me so angry. How many places in Wrexham are there to go Easter egg hunting and they want to use a cemetery - it needs to be stopped."

Paige Sykes, who has loved ones buried at the cemetery, said: "I think it’s disgusting it was considered in the first place, I completely understand having nice events on for children however a graveyard is not the place for it to be held.

"What about mourners going to pay respects to their families? What about children (unknowingly) running over the graves just looking for the Easter eggs? It’s not a playground, nor was it ever acceptable to think that this event should happen. I was always taught as a child cemetery’s are not a playground, you be quiet and respectful. Those who have served and fought for our country are buried there, people’s mums, dads and children are buried there. Where is the respect?"

Responding to some of the comments expressing concern over the event, Friends of Wrexham Cemetery said it was a "wonderful idea to get young people interested in local genealogy".

It said the section that would have been used is "occupied by the dead from a century ago and will not affect any recent internments". 

"Children will undoubtedly be on the paths not climbing on graves", the group added.

Friends of Wrexham Cemetery posted a subsequent update on its Facebook page saying: "We as friends of Wrexham Cemetery have had to make an emergency decision to cancel our event to safeguard the young people that were going to participate in the garden and paths of our outdoor museum."