SIR: My brother and I have just paid in excess of £1,000 to have a stone put on our parents' grave, also to have our brother's grave stone cleaned and a new inscription put on it.

I visited our parents' grave last week in Astley Bridge Cemetery, to see if the stone had been erected, and was shocked and amazed at how many grave stones have been pushed over and smashed, some very expensive memorials.

As there is an extra charge on our bill for cemetery fees of £158, I'd like to know what this cost covers. It certainly doesn't cover the cost of making sure the graves aren't vandalised. Surely for £158 you should have some guarantee that the stone you have paid so much for remains safe and respected.

L.R. Bolton

(Name and Address supplied)

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