HEADSTONES in cemeteries across the Lancaster and Morecambe district are to be checked for 'safety'.

City council officials will launch a programme of safety testing in Torrisholme Cemetery next week.

Grave stones that are found to be unstable may be deemed a danger to the public - and the grave owner or his or her descendants will be ordered to have them fixed.

The council says that headstones that do not pass the council test will be supported by a stake and banding, allowing time for the owner to arrange for repair.

Or, where ground conditions make it impracticable, headstones will be laid flat on graves.

And it adds that the repair of headstones must be undertaken by a worker listed under the council's Memorial Masons Registration Scheme introduced last year.

Cllr Joyce Pritchard, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental health, says the scheme is being introduced in response to new health and safety legislation.

And she adds: "We anticipate that some relatives will have concerns as a result of this programme. I wish to assure them the council will undertake the procedure in as sympathetic a manner as possible."