A church in Brentford today defended the removal of floral tributes marking the anniversary of Margaret Streeter's death.

The 68-year-old, of Isleworth, was knocked down and killed outside Brentford Free Church, in Boston Manor Road, on October 28 last year, in front of her then seven-year-old granddaughter Rebecca Keen.

Rebecca's mother Piera Keen last night visited the church, near the junction with Half Acre, and attached about 20 bunches of flowers to its railings in memory of her late mother-in-law.

But when her father-in-law Raymond and sister-in-law Lea visited about 90 minutes later, she says, the flowers had been removed and placed inside the doors of the church.

The church today said it had discouraged well-wishers from fixing tributes to its railings in recent months, asking people to instead place them in its garden of remembrance at the rear of the church.

It said an extensive display of flowers and balloons attached to the railings last night had been removed and returned to the family.

A close relative of Margaret Streeter, who asked not to be named, said he respected the church's wishes as he appreciated the volume of tributes, particularly those left for Mothers' Day, had at times made it difficult for pedestrians to even use the pavement.

However, Ms Keen said she and her daughter, who had been comforted by the church administrator after Ms Streeter was hit, were distraught to learn the flowers had been taken down.

"We're grateful to the church for its support after Margaret's death but I couldn't believe what they'd done with the flowers," she said.

"We didn't expect them to be there forever but they could have at least left them for the anniversary itself.

"We weren't aware the church didn't want flowers to be attached to the railings, and Rebecca was beside herself when she found out they had been removed."

The church's minister Reverend Matt Powell today said: "We have been in regular contact with the family and have sought to provide ongoing pastoral support.

"In recent months we have discouraged the fixing of tributes on the railings as we have tried to be supportive not only to the differing wishes of Margaret's family but also sensitivities within our wide community.

He added: "As a church we are looking to balance the differing wishes within Margaret Streeter's extended family and continue to offer our support and prayers at this difficult time."

Marius Jusza, of Greenford, was jailed in February for six years over Margaret Streeter's death after the 36-year-old admitted causing death by dangerous driving.