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

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

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

But Durham City Council has owned up and told the church and the 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 tragic death in July of six-year-old Reuben Powell who was crushed by a 5ft-high headstone that fell on him in a cemetery at Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

But the council did not tell the church in advance what it was doing and parishioner Michael Richardson, who has raised £1,000 to restore damaged headstones, thought vandals had struck.

Mr Richardson, a well-known 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."

St Giles curate the Rev Dorothy Wilson said she had no problem with the work being done but added: "They were completely at fault and admit that 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 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.