Banbury councillors claim they were "gagged" when they tried to discuss how a cemetery bench was damaged by the town's park rangers.

And the woman who bought the bench is demanding an apology from town clerk Tom Thompson after accusing him of covering up the facts.

Town mayor Tony Mepham and town councillor Richard Collins attempted to discuss the issue at a town council committee meeting.

But they were told the matter was not on the agenda, despite the fact that a report on the rangers was before the committee.

But Mr Mepham said: "We were gagged by the town clerk and councillor Keith Strangwood.

"We were told we'd have to wait eight weeks until the next committee meeting."

The row started after a bench bought by Liz Hawes, of Horton View, Banbury, and put in the Southam Road cemetery in memory of her father George Hearn, was wrecked by the rangers in their 4x4 vehicle.

Mr Thompson said: "It was explained to them the councillors that the incident had only just happened, and a full report would be prepared for the next meeting after we had talked to Mrs Hawes."

Mr Strangwood said: "We had to follow procedure."

Mrs Hawes, who last week met Mr Thompson and other councillors to discuss the issue, said she remained unhappy about the way the matter had been handled and was keen to read the report.