More than 300 memorials at Harlow Hill Cemetery in Harrogate – where the film star Michael Rennie is buried – are the latest in a project begun three years ago by Harrogate Borough Council.

It has already reinstated 650 memorials across the district using labour provided by offenders under Probation Service supervision.

The authority faced a bill of up to £1m after the death of Reuben Powell, who was playing in Grove Road cemetery in Harrogate in 2,000 when a two-metre tall headstone, believed to be 99 years old, fell on him.

Inspection

The Health and Safety Executive ordered an inspection of 16,000 gravestones in 10 cemeteries and 12 closed churchyards and thousands of memorials which were considered unsafe had to be laid flat.

Although many owners have secured and reinstated their memorials, many have not been traced, which left the council with the task. Harlow Hill cemetery is one of the most picturesque in the district.

Opened in 1871, it contains the grave of Michael Rennie, best remembered as the alien visitor in the original The Day the Earth Stood Still and who played Harry Lime in the TV version of The Third Man. He was born in Idle, near Bradford.

When he died in 1971, aged 61, he was interred in the family plot.

A tremendous job

The council's cabinet member for public protection, Les Ellington, said: "Without the support of the Unpaid Work Programme, we would be nowhere near where we are now in reinstatement terms.

"They have done a tremendous job and so have their supervisors. Over 60 offenders have also been accredited by York College of Masonry with Open College Network qualifications because of this quality placement scheme.

"Not only is this bringing benefit to local communities and saving public funds, it has also helped many of the probationers gain employment related skills that may help with their future."

Coun Ellington said specialist memorial work was required in all cemeteries, such as on tiered memorial crosses, but the community service scheme had made a massive impact on a large percentage of the gravestone restorations.