Memorial plaques which were thought to have been stolen from the Putney Vale Crematorium for scrap metal were really removed because their placements at the site had not been renewed.

The Wandsworth Borough News newsroom received a call from a worried reader who suspected the plaques - including ones honouring her own dead parents - had been prised away by opportunist thieves.

However a spokeswoman from the crematorium confirmed they had been taken down because the plaques had not been renewed.

She said: “The site has had a recent ‘clear out’ of plaques due to them not being renewed - which they must be every seven years - and this would account for those that have gone missing.”

The council-owned crematorium in Stag Lane insisted they do send letters out asking relatives to renew their plaques when it is nearing the end of the seven-year period.

However, it is often the case that it was originally paid for by another family member who may not live at the same address, so the information does not always get through.

Staff usually allow a time period of one year before removing any non-renewed plaques, which can then be collected from the chapel.

Leftover plaques are stored in a basement on site.

For more information or to be reunited with your plaque phone the Putney Vale Crematorium office on 020 8788 2113.