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HEADSTONES have been broken up and used to build a council wall in Netherton.

Shocked residents couldn’t believe their eyes when a new dry-stone wall was unveiled containing heartfelt inscriptions to loved ones.

A slab of stone reading: “The beloved ...who died ...”, was discovered within a 50ft stretch of new wall on Bourn View Road.

Today, Kirklees Council issued an apology for the blunder, which was carried out by its own Streetscene workers.

The stone has now been removed.

Netherton man Rob Campbell was astounded when he noticed the memorial-looking block while he was out walking.

The 37-year-old, who lives on Moor Lane, said: “I just couldn’t believe it. This is a clear disregard for other people’s feelings.

“It is a well-used area with a bus stop nearby. There are also a lot of older people who live near there and will pass the wall.

“A lot of people have seen it and complained, saying it is wrong.

“Surely there must be a family missing a headstone somewhere and here it is in a wall in Netherton.

“It is terrible.”

The wall was reconstructed earlier this year when work to widen the road was carried out by Kirklees Council.

The area was sealed off to allow the scheme to be completed, using stone from a local supplier.

Unfortunately, the workmen failed to notice the grave inscription as they laid the pieces of stone.

Rob added: “I do understand they use old headstones that might have fallen down as reclaimed stone, but surely you would have thought they would try to disguise it.

“For the council to allow that to happen, I find it very wrong.

“It needs to be taken out or chipped out. It is common sense.

“Personally, I’m disgusted they are using headstones in walls. The whole idea is shocking – that a person could purchase a headstone many years ago for their family member – and then someone could take it, have it chopped into pieces and used in a wall.

“I find that terrible.”

The engraving has now been removed from the stone wall and the council has apologised for the error.

A Kirklees Council spokesman said: “The stone for this wall was provided by a local supplier and we apologise that the engraving had not been noticed when the wall was being reconstructed.

“It has now been removed.”