Jim Lingwood, 68, discovered from a third party that a note was placed on the stone at the town's cemetery by Sheringham Town Council.

He was told that the headstone needed a ground anchor and was scheduled to be laid down flat in January following a safety inspection.

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Mr Lingwood described it as "a box ticking exercise", saying: "They're looking at this without common sense and not treating families with the respect they deserve.

"How is it going to hurt anyone? My wife's grave has sat there for 31 years and there has never been any issue.

"They say it's in danger of falling over, but if there's water in the carvings and it freezes, it's........

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