East Dunbartonshire Council is starting a four-year programme to check headstones and memorials in the area.

The project aims to ensure that cemeteries and churchyards are safe for visitors and workers.

There are approximately 18,000 headstones and memorials across the 11 cemeteries and churchyards in East Dunbartonshire.

Some of these are more than 100 years old.

The council does not own the headstones and memorials but has a duty of care to ensure they do not pose a health and safety risk.

Each headstone and memorial will be inspected by trained operatives to ensure they are not at risk of falling over and causing injury.

The council has employed a specialist contractor to carry out these thorough inspections.

The work is set to begin in November at Old Aisle Cemetery in Kirkintilloch, before moving to other locations.

Councillor Paul Ferretti, convener of the council’s place, neighbourhood, and corporate assets committee, said: “The Council maintain these sites and it’s really important they’re safe places for people to be when they pay their respects at the graves of their family and friends.

“This inspection programme is being introduced following a number of accidents that have occurred across the country in recent years and will identify any headstones or memorials that may need further action to make them safe.

"I’d like to reassure people that no memorials or headstones will be removed from the site as part of this inspection programme.

"The ownership of the headstone or memorial remains the property of the lair holder."

Visitors will be alerted to the inspections with signage at the entrances to Auld Aisle Cemetery.

The cemetery will remain open throughout the process.

If a headstone is found to be unsafe, the council will contact the lair owner to notify them and suggest corrective action.