A widow tended an empty grave for almost two years thinking it was where her dead husband was buried because of a mix-up by council officials.

Officials from Birmingham City Council have apologised to Veronica Graham after discovering an administrative error meant she had been given the number of the wrong plot at Handsworth cemetery.

The mistake only came to light when Mrs Graham discovered a headstone had been put on a different grave from the one she had been visiting.

Council workmen then had to dig into the real grave of Albert Graham to check the coffin plate.

Mr and Mrs Graham's daughter Rosemary told the BBC an inquiry should be set up to ensure the mistake never happens again.

'Vigilance needed'

"How did this happen, how come we weren't notified, why has it taken so long?" she asked.

Nick Baines, head of the council's bereavement services, said the council was "very sorry".

"It's an accident, and it's a problem of numbers as well.

"There was a number given to the family and in actual fact when the burial took place a few days later it was in the grave immediately next to it.

"But I hope that the Graham family will be content that their father is buried correctly.

"We have got the numbers sorted out now."