NEWS that 80 per cent of the headstones at Skipton's Waltonwray Cemetery are dangerous will come as a shock to many.

It was only three years ago that a six-year-old boy was tragically killed when a five-foot headstone collapsed on him at a cemetery in Harrogate.

That prompted councils across the country to carry out comprehensive safety checks.

Craven District Council has already taken action to minimise the risks, but has warned that the cost of long-term repairs could run into six figures.

It is a price we will have to pay - whether we like it or not.

Of course, questions should be asked about past maintenance, but that will not solve the hazard posed here and now.

At least the council is doing something about it.

More worringly, there are numerous churchyards across the district, which do not come under council control.

Let us hope that those in charge there carry out the same stringent tests as the council. We do not want to report a tragedy in one of Craven's cemeteries.