Concerns over the state of a churchyard in Narberth, have been raised by local residents, who see the site as a serious health and safety risk.

Issues at the town's St. Andrew's Church on Church Street, were first raised over a year ago by locals, when the perimeter wall of the church was damaged by a contractor's agricultural vehicle, causing stonework and debris to fall into the road which forms an access route for several houses and adjacent parking spaces.

"Neither the owner of the vehicle causing the damage nor any church representative attempted to remove any of the fallen stonework from the roadway, and it was left to the residents to remove the stones lying in front of the houses to gain access to their properties," explained Mr. Brian Saunders, who lives on the street.

"The larger fallen stones, some approaching 100kg in weight, remained where they fell for over 12 months, until last month when they were re-sited, presumably as a result of the numerous complaints made to the council. However, there are other areas at the churchyard that are neglected.

"There are large graveyard monuments unsecured, just waiting for some unsuspecting teenager to give them a push, resulting in a 80kg stone pillar toppling over," he continued.

Recently, due to another collapse of the wall in more than one location, the council were requested to attend the area.

"It was the opinion of the local county councillor and the health and safety representative present, that the rate of deterioration is accelerating, and we were informed that after inspection by a senior building control officer, a notice under Section 78 of the building act, was to be issued by the council, to force immediate action, since parts of the structure were now deemed dangerous," said Mr. Saunders.

"Some minor interim repairs to the wall have been implemented, but have done nothing to solve the primary issues.

"I believe that apart from the obvious neglect to an attractive area of Narberth, there are several items that could inflict possibly life-threating injuries and no one seems to be in the slightest bit interested," claimed Mr. Saunders, who has now written to the Church In Wales directly, in the hope that the matter can be sorted to a satisfactory outcome.

"I am frustrated and extremely disappointed with the lack of communication and consideration shown for the safety of the local residents and general public who have access to the area and do not think that I am exaggerating in saying that at least two of the issues I have highlighted to the county council and now the Church of Wales, have the potential to inflict life-threatening injuries if someone was unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time," added Mr. Saunders.