PROTESTERS have expressed their elation at the decision of a Poole church to back down on its controversial plans to bulldoze its graveyard.

St Mary's Church, on Longfleet Road, announced on Wednesday it was withdrawing its application to build a new church centre and car park on the site of the current cemetery.

The proposals had provoked a huge emotional backlash from families with relatives buried in the yard, with thousands signing petitions and lodging protests against the plans.

St Mary's says it "regrets" the distress caused and is now considering alternative schemes to expand its facilities.

Isobel Kerrigan, who has relatives buried at St Mary's and had helped co-ordinate the protest, said: "I cannot express how relieved I am.

"The graves are so terribly important to me, so it has been an emotional roller-coaster.

"I've no doubt the church had every good intention but perhaps underestimated how strongly people felt about visiting family graves."

Mrs Kerrigan also praised the Daily Echo, which she said had been "instrumental" in the fight to save the cherished family graves.

More than 800 graves were housed in St Mary's cemetery, including 27 war graves.

Chris Watkins, another who led the campaign against the plans, said he was delighted the Church of England had finally seen sense.

"It is wonderful news and I'm extremely relieved," he said.

"We had 2,000 names on the petition and you can't ignore that."

St Mary's said it remained committed to serving the community through appropriate buildings, but accepted the uproar their application had caused.

The Rev Andrew Perry, vicar at St Mary's, said: "We are aware that some aspects of the current plans were contentious, particularly regarding the churchyard.

"We have listened to the objections of many who have relatives buried here and regret the distress that some have felt.

"Our desire is to offer a very positive contribution to the life of the local and wider community of Poole."

Cllr Chris Bulteel, who red-carded the plans, said he was not surprised at the church's U-turn.

"The opposition was so overwhelming and the reasons so clear I thought they would eventually change their minds," he said.

"I feel very pleased for the people who have been in emotional turmoil and are going to have a great feeling of relief."