A FATHER whose dead son's headstone was laid flat in a Monmouthshire cemetery after a safety audit says he wants full compensation from the local council.

In March, the Argus reported that Monmouthshire county council had laid flat 60 headstones in Llanelly parish cemetery in Gilwern, including four belonging to local children.

One of those was that of Mark Parry who died 31 years ago aged 21 months.

His father Steve Parry, who lives at Daycoed, Clydach, said Monmouthshire council's offer of a £50 grant to help re-erect headstones was disgusting.

He said: "The council laid the headstones flat without following the correct procedures and they should foot the whole bill.

"I am not looking for excessive compensation but they should supply the correct amount and it is the principle that they went in and did a form of damage without any consideration."

Mr Parry had a total of five headstones for family members laid flat and said he faced a bill of about £1,000 and would get £250 from the council.

He said: "I have been writing numerous letters to the council but I have had little response and I am not happy.

"Some people have re-erected their headstones but mine are still down and I intend to follow this up.

"If I can't get any further response from the council, the next step will be the Ombudsman."

The council has yet to reply in full to Mr Parry's points, but leader David Waring acknowledged that communication had not been good.

He said the council had learnt lessons from that, and a working group had been set up to ensure that standards are high and maintained.

Pictured: Steve Parry, pictured in March by two family graves in llanelly parish cemetery, Gilwern, on which headstones were laid flat. He is seen with members of his family