Volunteer gardeners have pleaded with people to stop scattering human ashes in the flower beds after a volunteer swallowed a mouthful that was blown in their face.

Paul Caruana, chairman of the group Friends of Sunny Corner, said volunteers arrived last Tuesday at the green space beyond Boscawen Park to find a large area covered in ashes, an act he described as "illegal and distressing".

He added that this was just the latest incident, which has occurred around 15 times.

“Our volunteer gardeners get really upset having to handle human remains,” he said. “One actually got a mouthful of ashes because the wind caught him. It just happens far too regularly.”

Mr Caruana said the way the ashes had been scattered on the latest occasion meant they had gone deep into the bedding plants, which would have to be removed.

“I understand fully why they do it – Sunny Corner is a beautiful spot, and you can pay a visit whenever you want to pay your respects to your loved ones,” said Mr Caruana. “The downside is that we have to live with this day in and day out.

"Put them in the sea or river which is five metres away - you don't need permission to do that.”

Sunny Corner volunteers transformed a derelict area next to the Truro River in 2016 and have tended it ever since, receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for their efforts.

In the UK, scattering human ashes is generally legal, but people must always get permission from the landowner to scatter ashes on private land, including public parks; and follow Environment Agency guidelines regarding locations like near drinking water sources or marinas.

Richard Budge, parks and amenities and facilities officer for Truro City Council, reminded people to contact the council and apply for permission to scatter ashes.