OWNERS of memorials in Buckland Monachorum Cemetery are being sought after an initial inspection revealed a large number of structures are posing a danger to the public.

If owners are not located ? and this could well be the case for memorials going back to the 1800s ? the cost of repair, reinstatement, laying down or removal will fall on local taxpayers.

Being the local burial authority Buckland Monachorum Parish Council is in the process of undertaking a health and safety check of all memorials in the cemetery and St Andrew?s Church grounds. So far it has cordoned off around 20 memorials which need urgent attention.

Parish clerk Elaine Simkins said some of these memorials fell over with the slightest touch and many more were wobbly.

There has been increasing concern nationally about the stability of memorials in recent years after four people, including three children, died from falling monuments in cemeteries.

So far in Buckland Monachorum 164 memorials have been tested of which six large crosses have been identified an imminent danger.

Mrs Simkins said those posing the worst concern were very old, although a number of more recent stones dating back just ten years had been found to be loose.

Permission had to be sought from the diocese to carry out any work to the memorials and from West Devon Borough Council as the cemetery and church were in a conservation area.

Mrs Simkins said all efforts were being made to trace relatives but if they could not be found the parish council would undertake the work to make the memorials safe and all costs would have to be met by the precept.

?It would be a last resort to take any memorials away and in the case of the large crosses which weigh several tonnes, this would be an very expensive option,? added Mrs Simkins.

In a bid to improve the long term safety of memorials, Buckland Monachorum Parish Council is tightening up the rules and regulations and hoping to enter agreements with local masons.

The council is planning to put together a complete record of memorial owners. Please contact Elaine Simkins on 01822 859260 with your details.