AN angry Peebles man is taking his fight for answers to the Information Commissioner after two family headstones were toppled in the local cemetery.

Contractors 'made safe' more 700 headstones at Peebles Cemetery earlier this year as part of an inspection.

The procedure was met with anger and upset by dozens of families.

One of them, who we agreed not to name, has been pursuing Scottish Borders Council for answers after two of his family's headstones were pushed over - despite having a request to carry out his own repairs accepted by the local authority.

The request was made on February 18 to bereavement services and he was given assurances.

But on the next visit to Peebles Cemetery he was shocked to find both stones had been 'toppled' by the contractors.

A Freedom of Information request for details of the Peebles inspection confirmed both stones had failed tests and been taken down.

And it was only in a follow-up complaint that dates were provided to claim that the checks had taken place before his telephone request was made.

And the bereavement services officer had been unaware that work had commenced.

The gentleman told us: "In the follow-up letter the council supplied the dates for when both of my family's stones were tested and repaired.

"They then claim that they had already sent me all documents regarding this process, and nowhere on the spreadsheets or letters are those dates to be found.

"This is very concerning and suggests the council is withholding this information for some reason."

Inspectors spent five weeks testing almost 1788 memorials at the graveyard on St Andrew's Road.

Despite prior warnings that only 'old and large' headstones would be tested, dozens of small memorials were taken apart and 'socketed'.

Among the many stones which have been 'made safe' are memorials to babies and soldiers killed in the wars.

But the local authority haven't been able to answer all of the questions from angry residents.

Concerns over testing procedures and the qualifications of the contractors remain unanswered.

The Peebles man hopes the Information Commissioner will help fill in the gaps.

He added: "The lack of accountability and lack of audit trail is amazing."

A total of 710 headstones were deemed unsafe in Peebles Cemetery.

Council bosses have admitted they will discuss issues over stones being broken during the inspection.