A former Saundersfoot County Councillor has said that he is ‘saddened’ to see the Poppy Wreaths - laid every year by organisations for Remembrance services at the seaside village - removed from the War Memorial on the anniversary of D-Day.

Sharing on social media, former Local Member for Saundersfoot on Pembrokeshire County Council and once Community Council member too, Phil Baker commented: “I was saddened this morning to see that all the poppy wreaths have gone from the Saundersfoot War Memorial.

“I hope this is just a temporary situation. When I served on Saunderersfoot Community Council, there was a small minority of Councillors who wanted the wreaths removed for ‘neatness’ half way through the year.

“I don't know of any other War Memorial or Cenotaph where this happens.

“At the time I proposed that the wreaths remained in place until the following November.

“Personally I would prefer to see weather beaten, faded wreaths at the Memorial, showing that as a Community we do remember all of the fallen. Could we at least just have the Deputy Lord Lieutenant wreath there, rather than nothing at all?” he added to his comments, posted on the day after the anniversary of D-Day, June 6.

He continued: “My understanding is that the British Legion and the Community should be consulted as to when the wreaths should be removed. If my post has started that discussion I am content.”

Shane Roberts, Chairman of Tenby’s branch of the Royal British Legion, offered to step in and help, stating: “Phil if needed I can get a replacement out even if its just one. I totally agree with you and as poppy appeal organiser for Tenby and Saundersfoot District this saddens me to hear.”

Every November at the War Memorial, which sits outside St. Issells Church, local organisations will meet to lay wreaths and hold Remembrance services in memory of local departed service heroes, with locals in attendance to also pay their respects, alongside the rest of the nation.

Responding directly to Mr Baker’s comments, chair Cllr Alec Cormack, who is also county councillor for the seaside village’s north ward, remarked via the Saundersfoot Community Council Facebook page: “Thanks for raising this point. The Council removed the wreaths last week, following the same procedure that we have for several years now after consulting with the vicar.

“We remove them all when, after several months, they start to deteriorate due to being out in the weather.

“There is no guidance from the British Legion on this, their website says that some places remove them after ‘a few weeks’.

“Every council makes its own decision, for instance, I believe Tenby follows a very similar process to ours in Saundersfoot. The old wreaths are given to a local volunteer Julie Davies who is upcycling the materials into a large poppy ‘fabric’ for indoor display.

“I hope this makes the situation clear, but if you would like to make comments directly to the Council you can email us at: [email protected],” he added.