A HOYLAND resident may be given keys to lock a cemetery each night after it emerged gifts left on grave stones had been taken.
Anthony Ellis was distraught when he read in the Chronicle about presents being stolen from the graves of Tom McManus and Ian Hunter. He said the same thing had been happening at his daughter Charlotte's grave since she died six years ago aged six days.
Trinkets and dolls had disappeared. He said he had reported the incidents at Kirk Balk cemetery on three occasions.
But now the council has agreed in principle to Mr Ellis, 58, having a key to the cemetery's two gates. He would open them each morning about 8am and lock up at 7pm. Additional fencing will also be installed. The Safer Neighbourhood Team has been informed of the problems.
Mr Ellis, of Glenville Close said: “I won't be paid but I'm doing this for my daughter.”
There will still be all night access to the cemetery through a path at the top.
