Search for families to repair unstable gravestones

Grave markers at St John the Baptist Church in Instow have been laid down after a survey found them to be unstable.

The church is trying to contact the families of those buried in the graveyard to make necessary repairs and stand the stones back up again.

The Reverend Chris Painter said "it just looks sad" and like the church does not care about the people at rest in its ground.

He has put messages out on social media, in the parish newsletter, and used local connections to contact people and said it had led to much success.

Mr Painter said when the expert came in to inspect the stones they found "quite a few of the stones were unstable and could fall over quite easily".

He said "lying them down is an interim measure, and we have to workout where we go from here" as they are still a health and safety issue.

Churchwarden Carole Roberts said she was saddened by the stones being laid down: "It takes away from the look of the churchyard, makes it look untidy".

They are in discussion with the parish about what happens if no family members come forward.

Follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].