A local funeral service is calling for tighter regulations after the alleged criminal practices at a funeral business in Hull.

Last week Humberside police received a report expressing concern about Legacy Funeral Directors in Hull. Following an investigation, 35 bodies were found at one of its branches, along with suspected human ashes. Two people were arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position.

They have now been released on bail pending further enquiries.

East Devon-based Shoobridge Funeral Services has served Honiton for 30 years and Exeter and Exmouth for a decade.

Its director Paul Shoobridge described the news from Hull as 'deeply disturbing'. 

He said: "In our own history, it is unheard of. It’s horrifying. Whilst we can’t speculate on the details, we can reassure the public that this would not happen at Shoobridge Funeral Services.

“Our funeral directors are fully qualified, trained to the highest industry standards and all are DBS checked. We are also one of the few businesses that has a licensed funeral director, as being licensed is not a compulsory measure.

“We belong to the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)and the British Institute of Funeral Directors (BIFD). We abide by their strict code of conducts and our own even more rigorous code of conduct that is available on our website. We welcome any visits from the public at any time. Our collection and care of the deceased is always with the utmost dignity and our storage facilities exceed industry standards.”

Mr Shoobridge added that he would like to see greater scrutiny across the board, following Scotland’s lead on regulation where all funeral directors will become regulated by government. Currently anyone in England can set up a funeral directing business without any training or licensing.