A Fife funeral firm at the centre of a fraud probe has been stripped of national awards.
Stevenson Funeral Directors won three prizes at the Scottish Funeral Awards in August, including the title of Scotland’s best funeral director.
However police are investigating allegations of fraud at the Rosyth-based firm.
Organisers of the Scottish Funeral Awards said they had decided to withdraw the three awards.
Another award made to a former employee of Stevenson, who was named best undertaker in Scotland, is not affected by the decision.
A statement by the Scottish Funeral Awards said: “We were saddened to hear that an investigation was launched into Stevenson Funeral Directors in relation to financial misconduct.”
It said that at the time of judging by industry specialists, there was no indication of any misconduct but since it was made aware of the situation it had spoken to police and trustee company Avalon Funeral Plans, which is connected to the inquiry.
It added: “We now feel at this time we must act on the information that has been provided to us and with charges having now been made, the Scottish Funeral Awards are removing the three company awards granted to Stevenson Funeral Directors.
“The Scottish Funeral Awards team will discuss at a later date the awards and how to move forward after what we can only imagine has been a very difficult time for all who have been affected.”
Police launched their investigation following a report in September alleging pre-paid funeral plans had been sold fraudulently.
It was confirmed on Monday a 37-year-old man had been charged with fraud offences.
A report is to be made to the Procurator Fiscal and it is expected the man will appear in court in due course.
Detectives are understood to have spoken to a number of people who had paid the firm, which also has branches in Kirkcaldy, Cowdenbeath and Cardenden, for funeral plans.
