MANY letters have been written by distressed grave owners as a result of safety checks authorised by Blackburn with Darwen Council on grave headstones at cemeteries in their care.

Few words, if any, have been written by Coun Alan Cottam who appears to be responsible for the checks.

Could he now make public if the council was paid by the Government for testing each headstone?

That being the case then does it mean that if more headstones are found to be unsafe then more money will be paid to the council?

Was there a reason why out of town contractors, from Kent, were brought in to do the tests and without the knowledge of the grave owners who were unable to witness the testing?

Finally, could councillor Cottam say what the council intends to do about all the headstones that have been toppled' and have no one to pay for their repair?

PETER FARLEY, Reservoir Street, Darwen.