MEMORIALS in cemeteries across Ipswich are to undergo structural surveys to make sure they are safe.Ipswich Borough Council will check all of the memorials situated in its four cemeteries to make sure they are stable.

MEMORIALS in cemeteries across Ipswich are to undergo structural surveys to make sure they are safe.

Ipswich Borough Council will check all of the memorials situated in its four cemeteries to make sure they are stable.

The announcement comes a week after the family of a six-year-old boy was awarded compensation after he was crushed to death by a gravestone in Harrogate Cemetery.

The tragedy happened as Reuben Powell was collecting conkers in July 2000.

The council paid his parents £33,000 compensation in an out-of-court settlement without admitting liability for the incident.

Over the past few years unsafe headstones and statues have caused other fatal accidents which have prompted similar action in Ipswich.

A spokeman for Ipswich Borough Council said: "We are legally obliged to ensure the health and safety of anyone within the grounds and therefore if we feel that the memorial we are inspecting is unsafe it will be carefully, and respectively, lifted and laid flat.

"This will not only make this memorial safe but will also protect it from harm whilst in this condition.

"At no time will a memorial be removed."

"The Council will then attempt to contact the owners, subject to records being correct, as it will be the responsibility of the owner to arrange for the making good of the memorial."

Notices have been placed at each cemetery's entrance informing owners of the work and any queries can be made to the cemetery office on Ipswich 433580.