Health and safety purge of the park benches that are 3 inches too low

Park benches across the country will have to be replaced at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds - because they are too low.

Under new health and safety laws, benches must be more than 17.75in high so the elderly and disabled can get off them easily.

The new rules came to light after Bramcote Crematorium in Nottinghamshire was told by officials from the local Broxtowe council to replace 40 memorial benches costing £400 each.



An inspector found that the benches were 14.75in high - 3in lower than the "allowed minimum" height and 5in lower than the "optimum" height.

Kevin Browne, the crematorium's manager, said: "The inspector went around with a tape measure measuring everything for compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.

"Apparently, it means that the buttocks of infirm people are below the point at which they can easily return to a standing position, and 72 per cent of our visitors are elderly."

The order has led to the benches - many of which were paid for by bereaved families in memory of their loved ones - being removed.