It is so upsetting. I think it is so awful they are doing this

Margaret Ridout

John Ridout told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he found a loved one's headstone covered.

He said: "I'm disgusted about it. It had a yellow bag on it like the rest.

"I don't think it is unsafe for people who come and pay their respects at a cemetery.

"For vandals and children racing around, yes, it is probably unsafe.

"If we wanted to we could push 90% over."

Danger signs

The bags have been placed over up to 70 headstones at the cemetery by South Derbyshire District Council.

Mr Ridout's wife Margaret said: "It is so upsetting. I think it is so awful they are doing this, especially for Christmas."

South Derbyshire councillor Bob Southern said: "We took the action after advice from the Health and Safety Executive.

"We can only go by our maintenance men. They inspected 60 or 70 and in their opinion they are likely to fall on somebody.

"We have got to put these yellow bags on to warn people.

More bags

"A lot of this damage has actually been caused through vandalism."

The council has employed a worker to telephone surviving relatives of people whose gravestones have been covered.

"We are trying to find relatives of these graves to give them the opportunity to have them made safe or we are going to have to lay them on the ground," said Mr Southern.

He said that other cemeteries in South Derbyshire could also have the bags put on dangerous stones.