CONSERVATIONISTS were shocked to learn that "vandalism" at the graveyard they have spent ten years restoring was carried out by council workmen.

Police were called last Wednesday after headstones were flattened and crosses broken in the Victorian extension to St Giles' Churchyard, Gilesgate, Durham City.

They described the assault on the memorials as "mindless'' and issued an appeal for help in finding the culprits.

But Durham City Council has owned up - and told the church and police that its workmen were responsible.

A team is checking churchyards and cemeteries to ensure that gravestones in a dangerous condition are laid flat.

The move follows the death in July of six-year-old Reuben Powell, who was crushed by a 5ft headstone which fell on him in a cemetery at Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

But the city council neglected to tell the church of what it was doing in advance and parishioner Michael Richardson, who has raised £1,000 to restore damaged headstones, immediately thought vandals had struck.

Mr Richardson, a local historian, said: "It is disgraceful. What we thought were mindless thugs turned out to be the local authority.

"I'm disgusted nobody contacted the church, or the people who raised money for the restoration.

"That's Durham City Council for you - don't consult anyone and run in like a wild bull.''

The curate of St Giles, the Reverend Dorothy Wilson, said she had no problem with the work being done, but added: "They were completely at fault and admit they should have told us what they were going to do.''

A council spokeswoman said the work was done to prevent another tragedy.

"We can't leave upright headstones that are in a very dangerous state. Some of the headstones are well over 50 years old and could topple at any time.

"Two were in such a bad state that they crumbled as they went down and some were so dangerous they fell to pieces when they were laid down.

"We are acting to protect all members of the public who visit graveyards.'