Friends, family and colleagues of a much-loved mum-of-two are calling on council chiefs to reduce a £4,380 charge to bury her in the parish she loved.

Stone parish council worker Lizzie Barnes passed away last month aged just 27 after a battle with brain cancer, prompting a flood of tributes with her being described as "one of the nicest people you could ever meet".

As well as working at the Co-op in Greenhithe, Lizzie worked in a facilities role at Stone Pavilion, and was a valued member of the parish.

But because she lived in Gravesend, it will cost extra for her to be buried at Stone cemetery, due to Dartford council rules.

Lizzie's partner Gordon Kay – dad of their daughters Grace, seven, and Sophia, five – explained: "We would like her to be laid to rest in Stone Cemetery, but we're having to pay the full price.

"We've spoken to the people at Dartford council and explained the situation.

"Having to spend three times the price when she was a valued member of that parish feels wrong."

"It would cost us less than half that if she was a resident in Dartford, and we would like that money to go to her children.

"Having to spend three times the price when she was a valued member of that parish feels wrong."

A Crowdfunding page, originally set up to raise money for alternative medical treatment, is now being used to help support Lizzie's family in the aftermath of her death.

It explained how Lizzie had been diagnosed with a rare brain and spine tumour.

The appeal told how Lizzie had been through a lot of heartbreak in her life, losing her mum at 17 and then having her world turned upside down with the cancer diagnosis.

It described her as an "amazing mum" with "a beautiful soul, always cheerful and with wonderful positive sunny outlook on life".

To help her family visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/loveforlizzie to donate.

A statement from Dartford council said: "Firstly, we wish to offer our sincere condolences to the friends and family of Lizzie Barnes.

"In differentiating our fees, our council follows widespread local authority practice with the laudable aim of protecting burial spaces for local residents. Burial charges are lower for folk who resided in Dartford, with a higher rate charged for those who lived elsewhere. Our burial fee for local people is £1,460 and our charge for non-residents is £4,380.

"We recognise that every death is a personal and private tragedy but we are faced with the sometimes difficult need to implement our charges consistently. Sadly, it wouldn’t be appropriate to waive charges in one circumstance and not others. Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Lizzie Barnes as they remember and celebrate her life this week."

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