IN the corner of a Chandler's Ford cemetery stands a memorial to man who was a stalwart of the community.

Now Eastleigh Council has ruled that the granite headstone in memory of former Scout leader Tom Murray is not safe - even though it was only put up eight years ago.

His angry family claim that the council has been "totally insensitive" to condemn the gravestone, situated in the Ramalley cemetery.

Wrapped around the stone is a bright yellow sticker which reads: "Danger. Unsafe. Keep Away."

The warning sign also has an exclamation mark in a black triangle.

A number of other gravestones have been similarly marked.

Mr Murray, who was 77 when he died, was the leader of the 1st Chandler's Ford Scout Group and dedicated his life to the Scouting movement.

His daughter, Mrs Sandy Dawson, of Baddesley Road, Chandler's Ford, said: "I am absolutely disgusted by the insensitive way the council has dealt with this.

"The headstone has only been there for eight years and is perfectly safe."

Defending its action, the council says the warning sign was put on the gravestone as part of a safety inspection programme.

More than 4,000 headstones and memorials in cemeteries throughout the borough are being checked following new guidance from the Health and Safety Executive.

The move comes in response to several accidents which have occurred in cemeteries around the country.

Executive councillor Alan Broadhurst said: "Our work in the cemeteries is very sensitive and memorials will be treated carefully to avoid undue damage.

"Only essential work to ensure proper safety for people visiting the cemeteries will be undertaken."

A council spokesman added: "The current inspection of cemeteries will be completed by the end of March. The council will then undertake a rolling programme of inspections over a five-year period."

But former Eastleigh mayor Mr Peter Molyneux has described the treatment of the gravestones as "civic desecration".

He said: "I fully understand that the council has to ensure the safety of the public, but this is not the way to go about it."

He thought it was totally insensitive to tie a bright yellow wrapper around the stones.

He added: "Some of these are recent gravestones. They are in sound condition and as good as the day they were first put there."