A FAMILY have been left on tenterhooks after the grave of their loved one was nearly dug up in error.

Gareth Evans, of Penrhyn Bay, was left shocked to see a plastic covering over his father’s grave when visiting Llanrhos Lawn Cemetery last month.

After spending the weekend worrying, Mr Evans and his mother were informed by a friend of the family that grave diggers had been made aware they had got the wrong plot.

But when visiting the following Monday, Mr Evans was horrified to see that his father’s grave had been fully set up for opening.

Mr Evans, 39, said: “I spoke to the grave diggers and made them aware they most definitely had the wrong information and they were fully apologetic. They said they would remove the materials and tools immediately.

"I know the guys start work pretty early. If I had arrived any later, they would have had the digger out to open the grave.

“I spoke to them for about 30 minutes and was told they had spoken to their boss, following the conversation with the gentleman on Friday, but were assured they had the right plot and showed me the paperwork.”

Billy Evans, a former mayor of Llandudno, died in 2017.

He was the former president of the Royal British Legion branch as well as ex-chairman of the Welsh Alliance Football League and had served on the FA of Wales committee.

His widow has been left so distraught by recent events that she is trying to visit her late husband's grave everyday. She has to rely on buses in order to do this.

“The grave diggers were so supportive,” Gareth said.

“I was told this situation had happened before. They gave me a couple of instances.

“The grave diggers apologised to my mum. I cannot speak highly enough of them.

“When we came across the boss, my mum had a full rant at him as she was so upset. She was in tears over the situation. He responded it was a ‘clerical error’ and ‘nothing had ever happened like this.’

“I am laid back but it wasn’t a nice situation and to hear that it happens, or it has happened a number of times. We just wanted someone to take responsibility. To say ‘yes, we are sorry - it was a mistake’ rather than ‘it is not my fault’.

“I fully understand mistakes happen but not taking accountability... it is frustrating.”

Mr Evans's hopes by telling his story, it prevents a similar incident from happening to someone else.

“We have got it at the back of our minds. We want reassurance that it won’t happen again and for someone to be held accountable," he added.

“My ideal outcome is for someone to acknowledge and say they made a mistake.”

A spokesperson from Conwy County Borough Council said: “We are very sorry for the distress caused to Mr Evans and his family.

“A full investigation is being carried out.”