PEEL Ports has launched an investigation after the driver of a hearse was charged to cross Warburton Toll Bridge during a funeral journey.

Concerns have been raised after the driver was stopped and asked for 12p to cross the site, near Lymm, on Thursday.

But Peel Ports, which owns the site, says its policy is for tolls to be waived for funeral processions.

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A spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that it is our policy waive the toll at Warburton Toll Bridge for funeral processions and we are currently investigating the incident concerned.

"Peel Ports is meeting with the action group, Warrington Borough Council and Trafford Council on August 21 and will address any concerns the action group wishes to raise at that meeting."

Kay Antrobus ran a funeral parlour in Partington before retiring 12 years ago.

The Partington resident said hearses, and other vehicles that formed part of a procession, always had to pay to pass the bridge during her 12 years as a funeral director.

But she is calling on the payment booth operators to allow funeral procession vehicles to cross for free 'out of decency'.

She added: "If you were doing a funeral, and in a cortege, they would charge you and the mourners behind you.

"We sometimes went up the day before. We paid for the hearse and if we had an idea of how many vehicles there would be we would pay for them as well.

"We either did it the day before, or right there and then.

"They did inform us if we wanted to pay beforehand we could.

"They should change it (the policy).

"In circumstances like that, I thought they would have dignity.

"I think it needs changing in this day and age."

The bridge, which costs 12p to cross, or 25p for a day ticket, has repeatedly been the subject of complaints from motorists over congestion.

Tolls returned to the site in June following the installation of a new payment booth after the previous structure was destroyed in a suspected arson on May 10.