Headstones checked for stability

Headstones at Darlington's largest cemetery are being tested for safety by council officials.

Checks will be carried out at West Cemetery in Carmel Road North following advice from the Health and Safety Executive.

Headstones in danger of toppling over will be clamped while the grave owner is contacted to arrange repair work.

After three months the memorial will be retested and if it is still dangerous, the headstone will be laid flat.

'Sensitive issue'

The most recently installed memorials will be checked first, followed by headstones in older parts of the cemetery.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said: "We realise this is a very sensitive issue but it is important that our cemeteries are safe for the public to visit and our staff to work in.

"Every effort will be made to contact grave owners but obviously some people will have moved and we will have no way of making contact with them.

"Notices with our contact numbers have been placed around the cemetery and the clamps also have contact details on them so relatives who have concerns can get in touch."