Fresh floral tributes are still being laid at the scene in Hollington

A ban on tributes more than six weeks after an accident is being considered by East Sussex County Council, with a total ban on permanent memorials.

It said it wanted to strike a balance between the needs of grieving families and the safety of other road users.

But the Roadpeace charity said it was important for bereaved families to have somewhere they can go.

"It is not a choice - you just feel you have to go to the place where it happened because that is your connection with the person," said spokeswoman Cynthia Barlow.

It's hard enough to grieve without having the added interference of a council telling you can't lay tributes Sheena Hogg

Floral tributes are still being laid eight months after an accident in St Leonards in which five teenagers aged between 14 and 17 died.

The parents of one, 14-year-old Lee Morgan, told BBC South East Today they opposed the council's proposal.

They said they would be devastated if they could not lay flowers at the scene on the anniversary of Lee's death in October.

Sheena Hogg, whose 13-year-old son Aaron was one of three people who died in a separate crash in St Leonards in September 2004, also condemned the proposed ban.

"Not to be able to lay flowers or have permanent tributes there is absolutely disgusting," she said.

"It's hard enough to grieve without having the added interference of a council telling you can't lay tributes."

The council's transport and environment committee is expected to vote in favour of the ban, to come into force on 1 August.

Aaron Hogg and two other people died in September 2004

A report to the committee said the tributes can be a distraction to road users and an unwanted reminder of a tragedy for local people.

It said the removal of tributes would be co-ordinated with Sussex Police, who would advise families when it would take place.

"The county council will allow the temporary laying of floral tributes or soft toys etc on the understanding they will be removed within six weeks of the fatal crash," it said.

"Any items should be placed away from hazardous locations such as the central reserve of dual carriageways or the central island of busy roundabouts.

"All roads have potential dangers and sites of road collisions may be particularly hazardous."