GRAVEstones that have become unstable through age or vandalism will have to be repaired by families, according to churchyard guardians.

Chester-le-Street District Council's burials officer has been working with Burnmoor Parochial Church Council to test stones in St Barnabas Church's cemetery to see if they are safe.

Stones that need urgent repairs have been identified and the council said the onus is on families to carry out any necessary repair work, although people can get advice from the council as to how best to carry out the restoration.

The churchyard was the focus of attention at the end of last month when mourners gathered for the funeral and burial of Belinda Lambton, known as Bindy, the estranged wife of Lord Lambton. The churchyard dates from the late 1800s and, where very old graves are found to be unsafe, efforts will be made to contact the descendants of people buried there.

Memorials in a dangerous condition may have to be laid flat on the grave.

Fr Nicholas Chamberlain said: "Basically, as the graves get old and as the land moves they get less stable.

"Very many people are distressed to see the churchyard vandalised, or to see people behaving without proper respect.

"In trying to ensure that all the grave stones are safe, we are hoping to work with grave-owners and the public to ensure that the churchyard is a place of beauty and peace."