A COUNCIL is to consider compensation claims after a tree fell and smashed several headstones at a Blackburn cemetery during gale force winds.

The tree caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when it keeled over in Roe Lee cemetery off Whalley New Road on Saturday night.

The huge beech fell yards from a memorial erected to honour those who lost their lives during the Great War of 1914-1918.

Blackburn with Darwen Council, which is responsible for upkeep of the cemetery, said it would assess any claims for damage from families who have had headstones wrecked.

Ray Grimshaw assistant director of direct services said: "Unfortunately this tree was uprooted as a result of the severe winds experienced in the area over the weekend. Any claims for damage incurred to private property, such as grave headstones, will be passed to the council's insurers"

Roe Lee councillor Michael Law Riding said: "The council needs to make sure the cemetery is put back to a safe and reasonable condition and an ongoing programme of maintenance is started."

The collapsed tree was also close to the final resting place of a Blackburn legend. Fredrick Kempster, known as the Blackburn Giant, who at the time of his death was believed to have measured over eight in height

Fred was buried in an "stretched" plot after falling victim to pneumonia in Queen's Park Hospital on April 15, 1918. He was 29 years old.

Roe Lee resident John Warren, of Whalley New Road spotted the collapsed tree while walking through the graveyard on Sunday morning. The 39-year-old shift manager said it didn't look diseased and added: "It was quite a shock when I saw the tree.

"It's a big one and it certainly came down with an almighty crash."

David Pearson, another Roe Lee councillor, said: "I have been a councillor since 1997 and I have never had any complaints about the cemetery, but it does look a bit tatty."

A council spokesman was unable to say whether the tree was diseased or what the council does to check the health of trees in public places.