A GRIEVING family have been left feeling ‘disheartened’ after being told they could not apply to put a memorial bench at Chesil Cove.

Colin and Grace McFarlane say at first they were told by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council they could not even apply for a memorial bench for their son, skipper of the Purbeck Isle David McFarlane, as all the parks in the area were full.

But after being contacted by the Echo a council representative had been in touch with them to discuss the possibility of another site.

A spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said that the council’s scheme to donate benches for public spaces was closed due to the ‘high number of seats given’ but said they hoped to find a different location.

David McFarlane, 35, went fishing with his crew Jack Craig, 21, and Robert Prowse, 20, on May 17 and never returned.

During a three-day search and rescue operation involving Portland helicopter and Weymouth lifeboat David McFarlane’s body was recovered but his two crewmates remain missing.

His parents had hoped to get a bench put in memorial to him in Chesil Cove or at Nothe Fort, so that they, together with his partner Vicky Huntley and his children Bethany, Caitlin and Hope, could have somewhere to go and remember their loved one.

Chesil Cove is special to the family as it overlooks one of the Purbeck Isle’s fishing grounds as well as being a place where David liked to surf and the family spent time together.

Colin McFarlane said: “Portland was David’s first home and it looks out over the fishing grounds and it’s the place where he and his family had great times.”

Plans are underway for a bench in the shape of two surf boards .

Mr McFarlane said he called the borough council to apply for a place for the bench only to be told there was no point applying.

He said: “They claimed there was nowhere in the local parks and gardens- they said they are all full.

“It just seems a ridiculous attitude to take that they wouldn’t even forward us an application form.”

He added: “After speaking to them I was disheartened and amazed by their attitude and not wanting to discuss it.”

Borough council spokesman for community facilities Andy Blackwood, pictured, pledged the council would be in touch with Mr McFarlane’s family to discuss a suitable place for the bench.

He said: “The borough council has deep sympathy for the families and friends of David McFarlane, Jack Craig and Robert Prowse.

“We understand that there is a desire to mark such a painful loss by providing a donated seat with a plaque in memory of Mr McFarlane.”

He added: “There are a number of other potential locations we hope his family will consider fitting.”