INSPECTIONS will be carried out on large memorials in two Powys cemeteries in the coming weeks to make sure they are safe places to visit.

Staff working on behalf of Powys County Council will start the safety inspection work at Hay-on-Wye Cemetery and Nant Ddu Cemetery checking large memorials – those over 1.5m to make sure they are not at risk of falling over and injuring someone.

Cllr James Evans, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Housing and Regulatory Services, said: “Specialist staff will be carrying out inspections as part of a county programme and any memorial that is identified as dangerous will be made safe by laying it down. We appreciate that memorials are a sensitive subject but we have to be sure that our cemeteries are a safe place to visit and any that are potentially dangerous will be made safe.

“Notice warning visitors of the work will be erected in advance but given the age of memorials the council will not attempt to contact individual grave owners.”

Inspection work have already taken place at Machynlleth Cemetery and the Old Knighton Cemetery this year.

More information on the work is available from the Environmental Protection Service at Neuadd Maldwyn, Welshpool. Carwyn Jones 01938 551300